17 May 2022

State visit from Finland

A two-day state visit from Finland began on 17 May. President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio visited Sweden at the invitation of HM The King. The President was accompanied by a delegation including representatives from the Finnish Government and industry.

The Royal Family wished President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio farewell in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace.

The Royal Family wished President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio farewell in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The aim of the state visit was to confirm the excellent relations between Sweden and Finland, and to promote the two countries' extensive ongoing cooperation, which can be developed further. This applies within emergency preparedness and civil defence, as well as cooperation between the countries' armed forces, and between businesses working with innovation and the green transition. Culture and its re-start following the pandemic was also observed in connection with the visit.

The visit took place over the course of two days, in Stockholm and its surroundings.

Reception at the Royal Stables

In keeping with tradition, The King and Queen welcomed the Presidential couple at the Royal Stables. The King and Queen and the Presidential couple then travelled by horse and carriage from the Royal Stables to the Royal Palace.

The King and Queen welcome President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio to the Royal Stables.

The King and Queen welcome President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio to the Royal Stables. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

The King and the President during the cortège to the Royal Palace.

The King and the President during the cortège to the Royal Palace. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

The Queen and Mrs Jenni Haukio in one of the Royal Stables' carriages.

The Queen and Mrs Jenni Haukio in one of the Royal Stables' carriages. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

Welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace

The Finnish state visit began with the traditional cortège through the streets of Stockholm. In the Inner Courtyard of the Royal Palace, The King and the President inspected the Grenadier Company from the Life Guard, and the national anthems were played.

The cortège approaches the Royal Palace via Norrbro.

The cortège approaches the Royal Palace via Norrbro. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

During the welcome ceremony, The King and President Niinistö inspected the Grenadier Company in the Inner Courtyard of the Royal Palace.

During the welcome ceremony, The King and President Niinistö inspected the Grenadier Company in the Inner Courtyard of the Royal Palace. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The King and President Niinistö during the welcome ceremony in the Inner Courtyard.

The King and President Niinistö during the welcome ceremony in the Inner Courtyard. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

Representatives from the Riksdag and the Government were also present to welcome the Finnish guests. In the Victoria Salon, Finland's Presidential couple were welcomed to Sweden by The Crown Princess, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia.

President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio were welcomed by The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple in the Victoria Salon.

President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio were welcomed by The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple in the Victoria Salon. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

Pess statements

In Queen Lovisa Ulrika's Dining Hall, The King and President Niinistö gave press statements. In his statement, The King said:

The proximity between Finland and Sweden is not only geographic. We also share history, culture and values. We are colleagues and partners. Friends and family."

HM The King

President Niinistö speaks to the press.

President Niinistö speaks to the press. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The Bernadotte Library and the Riksdag

The Queen and Mrs Haukio were given a tour of the Bernadotte Library at the Royal Palace. They then visited the Riksdag together with The King, where President Niinistö gave an address.

The Queen and Mrs Haukio were shown objects from the Bernadotte Library's collections by Palace Librarian Arvid Jakobsson.

The Queen and Mrs Haukio were shown objects from the Bernadotte Library's collections by Palace Librarian Arvid Jakobsson. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The King and Queen and the Presidential couple with Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén and Deputy Speaker Åsa Lindestam on arrival at the Riksdag's Second Chamber.

The King and Queen and the Presidential couple with Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén and Deputy Speaker Åsa Lindestam on arrival at the Riksdag's Second Chamber. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

Prins Eugens Waldemars­udde

In the afternoon, the state visit from Finland continued with The Queen and Mrs Haukio visiting Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde. There, they saw the exhibition 'Light over Sea and Land – The Önningeby Colony on Åland'.

Museum Director Karin Sidén gave The Queen and Mrs Haukio a tour of Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde.

Museum Director Karin Sidén gave The Queen and Mrs Haukio a tour of Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Queen, Mrs Haukio and The King arrive at Kulturhuset.

The Queen, Mrs Haukio and The King arrive at Kulturhuset. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Kulturhuset

At Kulturhuset, The King and Queen and the Presidential couple attended the event 'The past, the present and the future: How can Swedish-Finnish cultural cooperation be developed?'. There, representatives from the culture industry spoke about the cultural links between Finland and Sweden, and visions for the future.

The participants at the event 'The past, the present and the future: How can Swedish-Finnish cultural cooperation be developed?'.

The participants at the event 'The past, the present and the future: How can Swedish-Finnish cultural cooperation be developed?'. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Gala dinner at the Royal Palace

In the evening, The King and Queen hosted a gala dinner for the Finnish Presidential couple. The dinner was served in Karl XI's Gallery in the State Apartments at the Royal Palace. The invited guests included the Finnish delegation, representatives of official Sweden and Swedes with a particular connection to Finland.

The King and Queen and the Presidential couple welcome guests at the gala dinner.

The King and Queen and the Presidential couple welcome guests at the gala dinner. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

A wind quintet from the Armed Forces Music Corps entertained the guests as they arrived.

A wind quintet from the Armed Forces Music Corps entertained the guests as they arrived. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple arrive at the State Apartments at the Royal Palace.

The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple arrive at the State Apartments at the Royal Palace. Photo: Jonas Borg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Bodyguards paraded in the East Staircase as the guests arrived.

Bodyguards paraded in the East Staircase as the guests arrived. Photo: Jonas Borg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The table linen was a gift to The King from the Riksdag and the Swedish Government on his twentieth jubilee. The tablecloths were woven in linen at Klässbols Väveri by master weaver Hans Thomsson. The pattern was designed by Karin Björquist. The King and Queen's monogram is featured at the centre.

The table silver was from the Brazilian silver service, which previously belonged to the Brazilian imperial family.

The table silver was from the Brazilian silver service, which previously belonged to the Brazilian imperial family. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden

The porcelain used for the first course and the dessert was a gift to The King from the Riksdag and the Swedish Government on his 50th birthday in 1996. The porcelain used for the fish course belonged to Queen Josefina and dates from the late 19th century. The porcelain used for the meat course belonged to Grand Duchess Louise of Baden, and dates from the 1850s.

The glassware was a gift to The King and Queen from the Riksdag and the Swedish Government on their wedding in 1976.

The glassware was a gift to The King and Queen from the Riksdag and the Swedish Government on their wedding in 1976. Photo: Jonas Borg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The menu for the evening.

The menu for the evening. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden

Menu

Charred mackerel from Bohuslän,
iced consommé of cucumber and gooseberry
with aromatic herbs and flowers

*

Confit of rainbow trout from Åland with asparagus from Gotland,
buttered asparagus juice and trout roe

*

Fillet of veal 'Oscar II' with langoustines from Fjällbacka,
spring vegetables with tarragon and truffled veal gravy

*

Vanilla-infused forced rhubarb with rhubarb mousse, almonds,
sorrel sorbet and wild chamomile

The guests at the gala dinner in Karl XI's Gallery.

The guests at the gala dinner in Karl XI's Gallery. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

During the banquet, The King gave a speech in which he said:

Our countries have a Nordic identity that involves more than just geographic proximity – it also involves shared values."

HM The King

The King gave a speech during the gala dinner.

The King gave a speech during the gala dinner. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Finnish Institute in Stockholm

The second day of the state visit began with The King and President Niinistö taking part in a discussion at the Finnish Institute in Stockholm with representatives from Swedish and Finnish industry.

The King and President Niinistö during the meeting at the Finnish Institute in Stockholm.

The King and President Niinistö during the meeting at the Finnish Institute in Stockholm. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The theme for the discussion was the two countries' cooperation to reinforce their resilience and their innovation cooperation, and to hasten the green transition.

During the visit to Berga Naval Base, The King, President Niinistö and Prince Carl Philip saw the Fourth Naval Warfare Flotilla's vessels.

During the visit to Berga Naval Base, The King, President Niinistö and Prince Carl Philip saw the Fourth Naval Warfare Flotilla's vessels. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Berga Naval Base

At Berga Naval Base, The King, President Niinistö and Prince Carl Philip were given a preview of the Amphibious Regiment's and the Fourth Naval Warfare Flotilla's vessels and equipment.

President Niinistö and The King during the tour of Berga Naval Base.

President Niinistö and The King during the tour of Berga Naval Base. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

There then followed a review of Swedish-Finnish defence cooperation and discussions with security and defence policy experts.

The King, The President and Prince Carl Philip took part in discussions on Swedish-Finnish defence cooperation.

The King, The President and Prince Carl Philip took part in discussions on Swedish-Finnish defence cooperation. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Two Swedish Jas Gripen aircraft and two Finnish F/A-18 Hornets flew over Berga Amphibious Regiment during the visit.

Two Swedish Jas Gripen aircraft and two Finnish F/A-18 Hornets flew over Berga Amphibious Regiment during the visit. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The Swedish Academy

Earlier in the day, The Queen and Mrs Haukio visited the Swedish Academy, where Permanent Secretary Mats Malm spoke about the Academy's work with dictionaries, scholarships, the Nobel Prize in Literature and publishing books. They also saw an exhibition of archive items.

In the Börssalen Room, Archive Supervisor Madeleine Engström Broberg showed them documents from when the Swedish Academy was founded.

In the Börssalen Room, Archive Supervisor Madeleine Engström Broberg showed them documents from when the Swedish Academy was founded. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Queen and Mrs Haukio visited the research room in the Swedish Academy's basement.

The Queen and Mrs Haukio visited the research room in the Swedish Academy's basement. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

Nordiska Museet

At Nordiska Museet, The Queen and Mrs Haukio visited an activity centre for Ukrainian children which is being run in partnership with a non-profit organisation, the Boost for Preparedness.

The Queen and the First Lady were welcomed by Museum Director Sanne Houby Nielsen on arrival at Nordiska Museet.

The Queen and the First Lady were welcomed by Museum Director Sanne Houby Nielsen on arrival at Nordiska Museet. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

The centre opened in mid-April, and aims to offer children who have fled from Ukraine a safe environment with routines and socialisation.

The Queen and Mrs Haukio speak with the Ukrainian children at the activity centre.

The Queen and Mrs Haukio speak with the Ukrainian children at the activity centre. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Queen and Mrs Haukio with Fredrik Hillelson, co-founder of the Boost for Preparedness.

The Queen and Mrs Haukio with Fredrik Hillelson, co-founder of the Boost for Preparedness. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The City of Stockholm hosted lunch for the Royal Family and the Finnish Presidential couple at Stockholm City Hall.

The City of Stockholm hosted lunch for the Royal Family and the Finnish Presidential couple at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

Lunch at Stockholm City Hall

In keeping with tradition, the City of Stockholm hosted lunch at Stockholm City Hall. There, the Swedish Royal Family and Finland's Presidential couple were welcomed by Chair of the Municipal Council Cecilia Brinck and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr. Lunch was served in the Golden Hall.

Mrs Haukio and The Queen received flowers on arrival at Stockholm City Hall.

Mrs Haukio and The Queen received flowers on arrival at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

The King and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr arrive for lunch with other guests.

The King and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr arrive for lunch with other guests. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

The Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall.

The Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

In the afternoon, The King and Queen and Mrs Haukio visited the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency where they were given a presentation of Swedish-Finnish cooperation within emergency preparedness and civil defence.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency provided information about Swedish-Finnish cooperation within emergency preparedness and civil defence.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency provided information about Swedish-Finnish cooperation within emergency preparedness and civil defence. Photo: The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

Reciprocal reception and departure

The Finnish state visit concluded with the Presidential couple holding a reception for their Swedish hosts at the Finnish ambassador's official residence.

Later that evening, the Royal Family and the Presidential couple gathered at the Royal Palace to wish each other farewell.

The King and Queen, The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple wish the Finnish delegation farewell in the Karl XV Hall at the Royal Palace.

The King and Queen, The Crown Princess Couple and The Prince Couple wish the Finnish delegation farewell in the Karl XV Hall at the Royal Palace. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Queen wishes Mrs Haukio farewell at the end of the state visit.

The Queen wishes Mrs Haukio farewell at the end of the state visit. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Royal Family waved off the Presidential couple from the West Gate at the Royal Palace.

The Royal Family waved off the Presidential couple from the West Gate at the Royal Palace. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

State visits

A state visit is the highest form of visit between two countries, and involves two heads of state meeting in a ceremonial form to strengthen relations between the two countries.

State visits aim to lay the foundation for strong personal contact and greater political, trade and cultural exchanges between the countries. Government ministers and an industry delegation also take part in state visits.