Sweden’s king celebrates 80th birthday with military honours and emotional speeches

Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf marked his 80th birthday on Tuesday with a day of celebrations including a church service, military ceremonies, and an evening gala where Queen Silvia delivered an emotional speech that moved Crown Princess Victoria to tears, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports.

The day began with a thanksgiving service at the Royal Chapel, attended by guests who had gathered from early morning. The Swedish Armed Forces then honoured the king with a ceremonial parade at Stockholm’s Royal Palace, where he was flanked by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Carl Philip, both in uniform.

Victoria’s choice to wear her military uniform was seen as a deliberate statement, according to royal expert Ebba Kleberg von Sydow. “It signals that the military is something she views as a very important part of her life, her role, and her duties,” she told SVT.

Children were also given the opportunity to present flowers to the king during the changing of the guard. One of them, Tindra—who shared her birthday with the monarch—described the moment: “He said congratulations and shook my hand.”

The celebrations continued with a 21-gun salute from Skeppsholmen, accompanied by a flyover from the Swedish Air Force. From the Lejonbacken terrace, the king addressed the crowd: “Seeing all of you gathered here feels fantastic for me and my guests.”

Around 200 guests, including royals, heads of state, and representatives from academia and business, then attended a lunch at Stockholm City Hall hosted by the city.

The evening concluded in the State Hall of the Royal Palace with a gala dinner featuring poached Norway lobster, Swedish veal, and stewed rhubarb. The king opened with a lighthearted speech, joking, “I move at a dignified pace—even majestic.”

After remarks from Crown Princess Victoria, the Speaker of the Riksdag, and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Queen Silvia delivered the final address. “I am so grateful for the life we share,” she said, visibly moving the crown princess to tears. The event ended with a fourfold “long live the king” and a rendition of the traditional Swedish birthday song, Ja, må du leva.

The royal court had spent over a year planning the festivities, with the king personally involved in ensuring the day reflected a celebration “for all of Sweden,” according to Margareta Thorgren, the palace’s director of information.