The Swedish Royal Family hosted Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan on their State Visit to Sweden on this day in 2000, 25 years ago, which came before the Swedish State Visit to Japan in 2007.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia welcomed Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Royal Mews ahead of a carriage procession to the Royal Palace of Stockholm, for the Official Welcome Ceremony, before the opening of the Japanese Art and Design exhibition at the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm.

In the evening, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia hosted a magnificent State Banquet for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, at which both the King and Emperor gave speeches.

Empress Michiko (in the Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara)

Queen Silvia (wearing the Braganza Tiara)

Princess Lilian (wearing the Six-Button Tiara)

Princess Christina (in the Napoleonic Amethyst Parure)

Princess Désirée (wearing Queen Louise’s Diamond Tiara)

Following a visit to the European Institute of Japanese Studies at the Stockholm School of Economics, a Lunch at the Stockholm City Hall, and a ’Gagaku’ Japanese traditional music Performance at the Royal Swedish Opera, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko held a Return Banquet for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia (wearing the Cameo Tiara) at a Hotel in Stockholm.

Finally, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia joined Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko for a visit to Gripsholm Castle.

Meiji Scroll Tiara

Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara

Honeysuckle Tiara

Diamond Scroll Tiara

Pearl Sunburst Tiara

Empress Michiko’s Diamond Necklace

Diamond Pendant