National Day of Sweden

© The Swedish Royal Court (Photo: Kate Gabor).

In connection with the celebration of the National Day of Sweden -  «Svenska Flaggans Dag» (The Swedish Flag Day) - the Swedish Royal Court released a rather lovely photo of Princess Estelle (b. 23 February 2012), the daughter of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. The Swedish Royal Family took part in the celebrations at Skansen and held a reception at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

The Swedish National Day is celebrated in memory of Gustav Vasa, who was elected King of Sweden on 6 June 1523. 6 June is also the day when Sweden promulgated a new Constitution (Instrument of Government) in 1809.

In two days Princess Madeleine, the youngest child and daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will marry Chris O'Neill in the Palace Church in Stockholm. For more information see the Royal Court's own wedding website.

More about the 17th of May, 2010

If you are not tired of reading about the Norwegian National Day, here is a couple of articles from Views and News from Norway that I missed when posting my article yesterday:

Royals in place on 17th of May

(17 May 2010)

Celebrating the 17th of May

(17 May 2010)

17th of May, 2010

The Norwegian National Day is celebrated on 17th of May in memory of the events of 1814, when Norway got its independence and the Constitution was passed. A central element of the celebrations is the children’s parade. Here are some pictures from the parade in Oslo, which is greeted by the Norwegian Royal Family at the Palace balcony.

HM The King's Guard at the head of the parade as usual.

The Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang, in the middle. To the left (with a blue tie) the Governing Mayor (leader of the City Government), Stian Berger Røsland.

The Norwegian Royal Family greets the children's parade from the palace balcony. From such a distance, and with only a pocket camera available, this was the best I could manage... I hope to get a better camera in a not too distant future!

Stovner School.

Uranienborg School can be spotted in the background.

First Vice President of the Storting, Øyvind Korsberg, greets the children's parade from the Storting Balcony.

The President of the Storting, Dag Terje Andersen, returns to the balcony after a well-deserved (?) break.

The traditional 17th of May bow with the portrait of King Olav V (1903-1957-1991). I can remember having seen bows with King Harald V's portrait early in his reign, but they seem to have disappeared from the marked. Too bad! I would love to get one! In the meantime I will have to wear the portrait of King Olav...

Photos and articles

• The Crown Prince Family greets the children's parade at Skaugum in Asker (Budstikka.no)
• The children's parade at Skaugum in Asker (Budstikka.no)
  
• 17th of May celebrations in Asker, pictures (Budstikka.no)
• ... and in Oslo (Nettavisen.no)
• ... and in my old home town Sandefjord (SB.no), including a pictures gallery and the traditional laying of wreaths at among others the war graves at Ekeberg cemetery and at the Seamen's Memorial outside Sandefjord church.
• Happy 17th of May! (blog article 16 May 2010)
  

Happy 17th of May!

Tomorrow - 17th of May - is the national day of Norway. Before I go downtown to watch the children's parade from my usual spot in the Palace Park, the most important task will be to take my balcony flag out. The weather forecasts are not too promising, but the flag has to be taken out no matter what!

My balcony flag - 17th of May, 2009.

There are often parades in the local communities too. Here is a picture of the parade at Oppsal last year.

The Norwegian Royal Family's program for 17th of May 2010:

The Children's Parade in Asker: The Crown Prince and Crown Princess' Family greets the Children's parade in Asker at Skaugum (08.15)

The Children's Parade in Oslo: The Royal Family greets the Children's Parade in Oslo from the Palace balcony (10.30)

Nordre Aker: Their Majesties The King and Queen visit the Nordre Aker area in Oslo (16.00). Program (in Norwegian).

Happy 17th of May everone!

Some reading

• Toddlers train for national day (Views and News from Norway 12 May 2010
• God 17. mai! (Stortinget.no) (in Norwegian)
• The Constitution (Stortinget.no)