TRH Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Philip, and Princess Danica were once again this year guests of the Royal Family of Sweden. Their Royal Highnesses attended the celebrations marking the Golden Wedding Jubilee of Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, held in Stockholm on 13 and 14 June.
The Serbian Royal Family joined members of Royal houses from across Europe and distinguished international guests in commemorating the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the Swedish Sovereigns, a remarkable milestone reflecting five decades of their love and their joint service and devotion to the Kingdom of Sweden and its people.
On this joyful occasion, HRH Crown Prince Alexander conveyed warm congratulations to Their Majesties on behalf of the Royal Family of Serbia. “It was a great honour for my family and me to participate in the celebration of this extraordinary jubilee. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have devoted their lives to the service of Sweden with dignity and unwavering commitment. My family and I extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Their Majesties on their Golden Wedding Jubilee, wishing them many more years of happiness, good health, and continued success. We are grateful for their friendship and for the warm hospitality shown to us in Stockholm.”
The day’s programme began with a solemn Te Deum service at the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace, attended by members of the Swedish Royal Family and invited guests. Following the service, Their Majesties hosted a luncheon at the Royal Palace.
In the afternoon, the Royal Family and guests gathered to witness the ceremonial departure of Their Majesties from Skeppsbron pier aboard the Royal barge Vasaorden, followed by a festive procession through Stockholm. The King and Queen rode in the same carriage they used on their wedding day 50 years ago. The celebrations continued in the evening with a special concert at the Royal Opera House, followed by a gala dinner hosted by Their Majesties at the Royal Palace. The distinguished gathering concluded with an evening reception and entertainment in the historic White Sea Ballroom.
Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica presented the King and Queen of Sweden with the icon of the White Angel, handmade by the nuns of the Mileseva Monastery, with the blessing of Metropolitan Atanasije of Mileseva. “The choice of the White Angel carries deep symbolism. This famous detail of the Mileseva fresco has been one of the most recognizable symbols of Serbian spirituality for centuries, but also a universal message of peace, hope, and resurrection,” said Prince Philip.
He added that the White Angel, in the context of the golden jubilee, symbolizes half a century of unity, trust, and loyalty. The gift is especially precious because the icon is handmade by the nuns of the Mileseva Monastery, combining art, prayer and centuries-old tradition.
Prince Philip and Princess Danica presented Crown Princess Victoria with a limited edition of the monograph “The Christian Heritage of Kosovo and Metohija”, with the blessing of Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren. The monograph is a testament to the richness of Serbian spiritual and cultural heritage and is dedicated to the most important shrines of Kosovo and Metohija – Dečani, Gračanica, the Patriarchate of Peć, and the Virgin of Ljeviška. In addition, Crown Princess Victoria was presented with a Pirot rug made in the workshop of the domestic brand MACCINDO, one of the most recognizable symbols of Serbian folk art and craft tradition.
On Sunday, 14 July, TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine were the guests of Their Majesties at the luncheon at the Royal Yacht “Norge”, while TRH Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica were guests of TRH Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel at a lunch held at the Naval Officers’ Mess, Hotel Skeppsholmen. Prince Philip and Princess Danica earlier that day attended the Holy Liturgy in the Serbian Church of St. Sava in Stockholm.
Together with the Royal Family of Serbia, the Royal families of Europe were present: The Royal family of Sweden including HRH Crown Princess Victoria and her husband HRH Prince Daniel, HRH Prince Oscar, HRH Prince Carl Philip and HRH Princess Sofia, HRH Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher O’Neill, and HRH Princess Christina and her husband Mr Tord Magnuson. Present were also HM King Harald V, HM Queen Sonja of Norway, HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark, HIH Princess Takamado of Japan, and many other Royals.
Their Royal Highnesses expressed their sincere gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Kingdom of Sweden for their dedicated assistance and support during the visit, which contributed greatly to the success of this important engagement.
