Following pre-celebrations on Wednesday with gifts and a buffet, King Carl XVI Gustaf was honored on his actual 80th birthday Thursday with a service in Slottskyrkan, military honors and a gala dinner at the Palace. Court preacher Johan Dalman opened with '80 years and counting'. The king thanked his family in an emotional speech.
Celebrations for King Carl XVI Gustaf's 80th birthday continued on Thursday morning—after Wednesday's pre-events—with a service in Slottskyrkan. Court preacher Johan Dalman led the ceremony and recounted the king's baptism in June 1946. 'And in a highly personal, tireless, positive, hopeful, bold, curious, generous, humble, yes eternally youthful way he has made it his own. For 80 years, 80 years "and counting"', said Dalman, calling the king a role model with 'Bernadotte sisu'.
A military honor guard followed on the outer courtyard, where the king met children including four-year-old Sally Leijonmarck and ten-year-old Vera Matsson, who gave him flowers. The air force flew over Stockholm and the military fired a salute from Skeppsholmen. From Lejonbacken's terrace, the king thanked the crowd: 'Seeing you all gathered here is fantastic, for me of course, but also for all my guests who are here.'
Honorary guests included King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand, Denmark's royal couple and Queen Margrethe, as well as Norway's king, queen and Crown Prince Haakon. The evening featured a gala dinner at the Palace. The king thanked Queen Silvia and his family: 'You are my security, my strength and my greatest joy.' The queen highlighted the king's 'calm and confidence'. Crown Princess Victoria shared a story of the king's caring advice on a ski trip.
