Sweden Celebrates King's 70th With ABBA's Dancing Queen !

Frida with Henry Smith

Royals from around the world flew in, loyal Swedes lined the streets of Stockholm and the sounds of ABBA's "Dancing Queen" rang out from an army band on Saturday as Sweden celebrated King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th birthday.

Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf

After a service in the palace chapel attended by the king's family and royal visitors from Japan, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, the outdoor pomp and celebrations for Sweden's monarch of 43 years included a tightly choreographed military parade. In the palace yard, children gave the king flowers before gun salutes rang out, and he went on a ride through Stockholm in an open horse-drawn carriage.

Under a clear blue sky, thousands of Swedes, some wearing plastic crowns, lined the route to City Hall. In the crowd were fans snapping cellphone photos and scouts in uniform, for the king is an honorary chairman of the World Scout Foundation.

At Stockholm City Hall, the king was visibly moved when he was greeted by a choir singing the Beatles hit "All You Need Is Love" — with the guests joining in.

King Carl joins in with a rendition of All You Need Is Love with the Tensta Gospel Choir and their leader Cedwin Sandanam

Guests included the former Dutch queen, now Princess Beatrix, of the Netherlands, Spain's ex-King Juan Carlos, Denmark's Queen Margrethe and Japan's Princess Takamado.

Born on April 30, 1946, Carl XVI Gustaf ascended the throne in 1973 and married German commoner Silvia Sommerlath three years later. They have three children and five grandchildren, with Crown Princess Victoria next in line to the throne.

The king's popularity has dived after newspapers alleged that he had visited strip clubs, resulting in a poll showing that many believed he should abdicate in favor of the 38-year-old Victoria. He has dismissed quitting.


http://bigstory.ap.org/article/65c53abe90c240fdb7e7e11ccd45f11e/sweden-celebrates-kings-70th-birthday

Mamma Mia, What A Party!

King's birthday contained not just glitz and glamour. It also had a special music theme!

Guests kept running to early in the morning and royalty beamed in their fancy gala dresses.
In addition, the King's private party a very special common thread: ABBA! You missed not birthday both began and ended in schlageryra? The armed forces started with "Dancing Queen" out in the courtyard and musical ensemble "Mamma Mia – The Party" was given the party floor to swing.

Some strange thought some but we can tell you that ABBA has a special place in his heart. The group performed namely the day before their wedding, 1976.

In addition, attended two of the Group's members during the birthday. Björn Ulvaeus went on lunch in City Hall while Anni-Frid Lyngstad was one of the guests at tonight's banquet. A real ABBA-fest, simply!

http://www.svenskdam.se/2016/04/mamma-mia-vilket-party/

Princess Madeleine of Sweden wishes father King Carl XVI Gustaf happy birthday in sweet Facebook post. 

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is celebrating his 70th birthday on Saturday, and his daughter Princess Madeleine has taken to Facebook to wish him many happy returns.
 
The 33-year-old princess shared two throwback photos of herself as a toddler spending time with her dad in celebration of his landmark birthday. In aviator glasses and a white polo neck, the King holds a young Madeleine on a gate in one photo, and gives her a shoulder ride in another.

She accompanied the photos with a sweet message to her father, writing: "Happy Birthday Pappa! I can't believe you turned 70 today, you have more energy than all of us! Love you."
Fans of the Swedish royal family were quick to wish His Majesty well, with one writing: "Happy Birthday to your Dad! I am very proud to be a Swede and that we have such wonderful King and Royal family!", while another wrote: "Congratulations to the King of Sweden on his 70th Birthday! Your father, the King is celebrating this birthday being grandfather of two granddaughters and three grandsons which are all adorable!"

Sweden is commemorating their king's birthday in style, with celebrations including lavish banquets, carriage processions, a gun salute and musical concerts. The festivities began on Saturday as the royal family attended an Armed Forces celebration and enjoyed lunch as Stockholm City Hall.

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016043031199/princess-madeleine-sweden-wishes-father-king-carl-XVI-gustaf-happy-birthday/ 

Another article with some great photos:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3567028/Sweden-celebrates-kings-70th-birthday.html