Sweden’s National ‘Sunny’ Day

Sweden’s National Day is off to a hotter start than usual with temperatures set to rise up to 30 degrees across most parts of the country.

Published: 6 June 2008 14:00 CEST

For once Swedes will be able to enjoy a traditional Swedish lunch on this most Swedish of days under a blistering sun.

The royal family is at the heart of Sweden’s national day of celebrations. Unlike most Swedes who are off work today, the Royals´day is packed with activities.

The King and Queen are off to Södertälje for national day celebrations and Crown Princess Victoria is taking part in other celebrations at Kungälv in southern Sweden.

All this before the whole Royal family, including Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip, descend upon Stockholm’s central Skansen Park in a horse driven cortege on Friday evening.

The names of those who are to receive honours for meritorious services to Sweden have been released today. Amongst them are Margot Wallström, Vice-president of the European Commission and Björn Skifs, the singer and songwriter who has represented Sweden twice in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Altogether, 26 people will receive a medal of honour.