6 June 2023

Sweden's National Day 2023

Sweden's National Day and Swedish Flag Day were celebrated on 6 June. This year's National Day also marked 500 years of Sweden as an independent nation.

The Royal Family during the National Day reception at the Nordic Museum.

The Royal Family during the National Day reception at the Nordic Museum. Photo: Clément Morin

At 08:00, the three-tailed flag was raised at the Royal Palace.

At 08:00, the three-tailed flag was raised at the Royal Palace. Photo: Clément Morin

At 08:00, the three-tailed flag was raised on the roof of the Royal Palace.

Photo: Clément Morin

Open Palace

As is traditional, the Royal Palace was open to the public with free entry on Sweden's National Day. At 10:00, The Crown Princes Couple opened the palace's West Gate to the Outer Courtyard and welcomed the public to the National Day celebrations.

The Crown Princess gave a welcoming address to the members of the public who had gathered in the Royal Palace's Outer Courtyard.

The Crown Princess gave a welcoming address to the members of the public who had gathered in the Royal Palace's Outer Courtyard. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden

So much of our Swedish history and our incredible cultural heritage can be found here at our royal palaces. I am delighted that we can make this accessible, and that we can invite you here today.

“We hope that you all – adults and children alike – will have a wonderful day. With these words, we now open the gates to the Royal Palace and wish you all a warm welcome!”

HRH The Crown Princess

The Crown Princess Family welcomed the public to the Royal Palace.

The Crown Princess Family welcomed the public to the Royal Palace. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden

The Armed Forces Music Corps played as the gates to the palace were opened.

The Armed Forces Music Corps played as the gates to the palace were opened. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden

The King and Queen were welcomed to Strängnäs Cathedral by Dean Christopher Lundgren.

The King and Queen were welcomed to Strängnäs Cathedral by Dean Christopher Lundgren. Photo: Clément Morin

Strängnäs

The King and Queen began Sweden's National Day by visiting Strängnäs. The visit commemorated the 500th anniversary of the day on which Gustav Vasa was elected king in Strängnäs in 1523. The country then entered a new era which saw the formation of Sweden as a nation state.

Bishop Johan Dalman led the formal gathering at Strängnäs Cathedral.

Bishop Johan Dalman led the formal gathering at Strängnäs Cathedral. Photo: Clément Morin

The King and Queen were shown the regalia.

The King and Queen were shown the regalia. Photo: Clément Morin

The celebrations in Strängnäs began with a formal gathering at Strängnäs Cathedral. The National Day celebrations then took place in Västerviken, where The King presented banners to ten associations and organisations.

The King and Queen walked to the National Day celebrations in Västerviken.

The King and Queen walked to the National Day celebrations in Västerviken. Photo: Clément Morin

National Day celebrations in Strängnäs.

National Day celebrations in Strängnäs. Photo: Clément Morin

The King presented banners to associations and organisations.

The King presented banners to associations and organisations. Photo: Clément Morin

The King then gave a speech, in which he said:

To those of you who have come to celebrate Sweden's National Day,

Today is a momentous day. We are celebrating Sweden's 500th anniversary as an independent nation. And this is where it all began. On Saturday 6 June 1523, Gustav Eriksson Vasa was elected King of Sweden in Strängnäs. […]

“Eventually, this resulted in the form of government that we have today. The foundations had been laid for our vital, multifaceted, democratic society.”

HM The King

The King gave a speech as part of the celebrations.

The King gave a speech as part of the celebrations. Photo: Clément Morin

The King and Queen during the National Day celebrations in Västerviken.

The King and Queen during the National Day celebrations in Västerviken. Photo: Clément Morin

Changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard.

Changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

Changing of the guard

Prince Carl Philip attended the changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard at the Royal Palace.

Prince Carl Philip and Supreme Commander Micael Bydén during the changing of the guard.

Prince Carl Philip and Supreme Commander Micael Bydén during the changing of the guard. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

Changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard.

Changing of the guard in the Outer Courtyard. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

After the changing of the guard, twenty-one gun salutes were fired from Skeppsholmen, Kastellholmen and HMS Kullen.

During the salute, a Jas 39 Gripen and an SK60 performed a flyover over the Royal Palace.

During the salute, a Jas 39 Gripen and an SK60 performed a flyover over the Royal Palace. Photo: Henrik Garlöv/The Royal Court of Sweden

The cortège arrives at Skansen.

The cortège arrives at Skansen. Photo: Clément Morin

Skansen

The Royal Family travelled by horse-drawn cortège to watch the National Day celebrations on the Solliden Stage at Skansen.

The King and Queen in one of the Royal Stables' carriages.

The King and Queen in one of the Royal Stables' carriages. Photo: Clément Morin

Photo: Clément Morin

The Royal Family with Speaker Andreas Norlén and Mrs Helena Norlén.

The Royal Family with Speaker Andreas Norlén and Mrs Helena Norlén. Photo: Clément Morin

During the celebrations, The King presented banners to various associations and associations. The celebrations from the Solliden Stage were broadcast by Sveriges Television.

The King gave a National Day speech, in which he said:

To those of you who have come to celebrate Sweden's National Day,

“Together, we have created the state of independence that we are celebrating today. It is our nation's freedom during many centuries that we are commemorating.

“Let us strive to live in peace and freedom for many generations to come.”

HM The King

The King gave his traditional National Day speech.

The King gave his traditional National Day speech. Photo: Clément Morin

Singers from the 'Barn Sjunger för Barn' project performed during the National Day celebrations.

Singers from the 'Barn Sjunger för Barn' project performed during the National Day celebrations. Photo: Clément Morin

Princess Madeleine and Princess Sofia took part in the National Day celebrations at Skansen.

Princess Madeleine and Princess Sofia took part in the National Day celebrations at Skansen. Photo: Clément Morin

The National Day celebrations on the Solliden Stage.

The National Day celebrations on the Solliden Stage. Photo: Clément Morin

National Day reception and military tattoo

To mark this anniversary year, The King and Queen invited representatives from the Government, the Riksdag, the diplomatic corps and official Sweden to a National Day reception at the Nordic Museum.

The Royal Family came together on arrival at the Nordic Museum.

The Royal Family came together on arrival at the Nordic Museum. Photo: Clément Morin

The King and Queen invited representatives from official Sweden to a National Day reception.

The King and Queen invited representatives from official Sweden to a National Day reception. Photo: Clément Morin

The King gave a welcoming address to the guests.

The King gave a welcoming address to the guests. Photo: Clément Morin

The evening concluded with a military tattoo at the Nordic Museum.

The National Day celebrations concluded with a military tattoo at the Nordic Museum.

Photo: Clément Morin

Drummer during the military tattoo.

Photo: Clément Morin

The Royal Family and their guests on the steps at the entrance to the Nordic Museum.

The Royal Family and their guests on the steps at the entrance to the Nordic Museum. Photo: Clément Morin