On Tuesday, the Bernadottes gathered in Stockholm to celebrate Sweden’s National Day—and two very significant royal anniversaries.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia began their National Day commemorations on Tuesday in Strängnäs, a town that played a key role in Swedish royal history.
The royal couple attended a service at Strängnäs Cathedral during their visit. Five hundred years ago, on June 6, 1523, King Gustav Vasa of Sweden was elected king in Strängnäs. The Bernadottes (who are descended from the Vasa dynasty through both Joséphine of Leuchtenberg and Victoria of Baden) are celebrating both that anniversary and King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Golden Jubilee this year.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia also attended an outdoor celebration during their visit to Strängnäs.
For the visit, Queen Silvia wore bright yellow. With the King’s blue suit and tie, the couple echoed the colors of the Swedish flag.
She accessorized with a suite of floral jewelry made of gold and pearls.
Later in the day, the National Day celebrations continued with the larger royal family in Stockholm with a reception at the Nordic Museum and a concert at Skansen.
The ladies of the family wore traditional dress (Sverigedräkten) for the reception and concert. The national costume, based on traditional folk dress from various parts of the country, was actually developed in the early 20th century. Queen Silvia began wearing the traditional attire for National Day in the 1980s, and the tradition continues today. (The King and the other men of the family wear business suits. I wish they’d go all out and wear the men’s version, but that doesn’t really seem like Carl Gustaf’s thing.)
The traditional dress features a brooch pinned at the wearer’s throat, made of silver. Silvia also added pearl stud earrings to her ensemble.
Both Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle wore Sverigedräkten for the celebrations as well.
Crown Princess Victoria wears a heart-shaped brooch with round pendants. Her earrings coordinated nicely with the brooch.
Princess Estelle wore a charming pair of daisy earrings that match the flowers embroidered on the dress.
Princess Sofia was there in traditional garb as well.
Her brooch features smaller round pendants. Her earrings were hidden behind her hair in every photograph I’ve seen from the festivities, but it looks to me like they might have pearl drops.
Also on hand for this year’s National Day celebrations: Princess Madeleine and Chris O’Neill! They’re moving back to Sweden permanently this summer, and will reportedly be in residence in an apartment in the royal stables by August. I’m delighted that we’ll see her wearing jewels in Sweden more often! And I’m also delighted that she too wore Sverigedräkten for Tuesday’s celebrations.
Princess Madeleine’s silver brooch is very similar to (but not exactly the same as) the one worn by her sister, Crown Princess Victoria. She also wore simple, coordinating stud earrings.
The family party also included two more Bernadottes: Princess Christina, the King’s sister, and her husband, Tord Magnuson.
Princess Christina opted for a gingko-print dress for the museum reception, accessorized with pearls and a gold necklace with a circle pendant.
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