Royal Central - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Crown Princess Victoria was in Brussels Monday to mark Sweden’s entry into NATO, representing her father the King while he’s away on a State Visit to Mexico.
The Crown Princess joined other Swedish dignitaries at the NATO headquarters for the symbolic flag raising, joining the other countries’ flags in a gesture that demonstrates Sweden’s admittance into NATO.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, along with a larger Swedish delegation, joined Crown Princess Victoria in Brussels. At NATO outposts around the world, Sweden’s flag was also raised to mark its admittance.
In a speech at the event, Prime Minister Kristersson said he was proud that Sweden was officially a member, and that “Sweden joins NATO because we believe in the importance of collective defence. But we also join NATO to be a security provider, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.”
Sweden officially became a member of NATO on 7 March, joining 31 other countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
At the time of Sweden’s admittance, NATO’s Secretary General said in a statement: “This is a historic day. Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions… Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole Alliance more secure. Today’s accession demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.”
Crown Princess Victoria is currently acting as head of state on behalf of King Carl XVI Gustaf, who, along with Queen Silvia, is in Mexico for the next few days for an official state visit.
Upon the King’s return, there will be events held in Sweden marking the country’s entry into NATO. On Monday, the King will give a speech at the Riksdag building at a flag raising ceremony; followed by another flag raising ceremony at Karlberg Castle hosted by the Commander in Chief.