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ROYAL FAMILY

Sweden’s party princesses enjoy royal birthday show

It was all smiles as Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria celebrated turning 39 with an annual concert in her honour. But it was another princess who stole the show.

Published: 15 July 2016 08:25 CEST
Updated: 15 July 2016 12:00 CEST
Sweden's party princesses enjoy royal birthday show
Sweden's Princess Estelle. Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel's daughter, Princess Estelle, made her first ever visit to the concert at Solliden Palace on the island of Öland on Thursday evening.

And the little princess, who turned four earlier this year, seemed to be enjoying herself, despite getting a bit tired towards the end and having to lean on her mum's shoulder.


Estelle and her mother. Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

Estelle clapped her hands to 'Happy Birthday' and even sang along in English to the chorus of Sweden's Eurovision entry Frans Jeppsson-Wall's 'If I Were Sorry'.

If The Local were a glossy fashion magazine, we would comment on her “cute outfit, sure to set trends among royal children across Europe”. Instead, we'll point out the typically Swedish protective noise covers she wore on her ears, but in very royal style: pink and big. No sleek and solemn Nordic greyscale here.


Sweden's Eurovision contender Frans Jeppsson-Wall. Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

Earlier in the day, the royal family arrived a few minutes late to the celebrations at Solliden, where 4,500 people had gathered to greet birthday girl Victoria.

“You know what families with small children are like,” joked King Carl XVI Gustaf.

GALLERY: More pictures from Victoria's birthday here


King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

Victoria and Daniel's youngest child, four-month-old Prince Oscar, had his outing earlier in the day to the delight of spectators, but sat out the evening concert. You can't do it all, you know. Someone's got to take care of the screaming and pooping.


Prince Oscar looking rather unimpressed earlier in the day. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Victoria's brother, Prince Carl Philip, also attended the evening concert with his wife, Princess Sofia. The couple had also left their newborn son, Prince Alexander, at home.


Princesses Sofia and Madeleine. Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

Princess Madeleine and her British-American husband Chris O'Neill, who live in London with their two children, were also there to cheer Victoria and enjoy the Swedish summer (some sun, mostly overcast, bit of rain – weather forecast courtesy of The Local).


“Okay, I'm done. Can I go home now?” Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

WORKING IN SWEDEN

Swedish Royal Guards scrap ceremonial helmets over safety concerns

The King’s mounted Royal Guards will no longer be able to wear their iconic ceremonial helmets on parades, after the Swedish Work Environment Authority warned of serious safety concerns.

Published: 7 July 2023 13:53 CEST
Swedish Royal Guards scrap ceremonial helmets over safety concerns

“We take the safety of our employees extremely seriously and we are going to address this immediately,” colonel Stefan Nacksten, head of the Royal Guards, wrote in a statement. 

Employed by the Armed Forces, the Royal Guards are the King’s cavalry and infantry units and are a well-known sight at ceremonies in Sweden, including at the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace of Stockholm every day in summer – a popular spectacle for Stockholmers and tourists alike.

The helmets will no longer be used by Royal Guards on horseback from July 7th, as they do not conform to safety standards for riding helmets, although guards parading on foot will still be permitted to wear them.

They are part of the 1895 parade uniforms and were last modified in 2000. The Armed Forces will now create an entirely new helmet which looks the part, but is also safe for riding.

“We’re working on finding an alternative solution as quickly as possible which meets safety requirements and can also be used during parades,” Nacksten said.

“We’ve been working long-term with this issue but now that it has been assessed [by the Swedish Work Environment Authority] we need to take measures immediately,” he added.

“This is good, and now we’re working to make sure something good comes out of this and we can get a safe riding helmet for parades in place as soon as possible.”

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