Queen Silvia of Sweden has made a surprise appearance on a headline TV show and stunned its star into silence by turning up in an historic tiara for the event.

The Swedish queen took part in a tribute to actor and fashion designer, Christer Lindarw, who is one of Sweden’s most popular entertainers. He was being celebrated in the show ”What a Life” and Queen Silvia’s appearance was a nod to several of his high profile impersonations of the royal family.

For the appearance, broadcast on TV4, Queen Silvia appeared wearing the Cut Steel tiara, which once belonged to the daughter of the Empress Josephine, in a truly regal moment.

Christer Lindarw looked stunned as Queen Silvia appeared on stage and raised her arms to acknowledge the crowd. He bowed to the Swedish queen before standing back in shock.

The audience were also taken by surprise with cheers growing as they realised it really was the Queen of Sweden taking part in the show.

Queen Silvia took to the microphone to praise Christer Lindarw, who has been one of Sweden’s biggest stars for over 40 years. He’s appeared in films, on TV and in many stage productions and is also a successful designer, making dresses for Queen Silvia’s eldest child, Crown Princess Victoria.

He’s also well known for his impersonations of Queen Silvia. Christer Lindarw rose to fame in the 1970s with the drag show group, After Dark.

In 1977, the year after Silvia had married King Carl XVI Gustaf, Christer Lindarw took to the stage at the Oscar Theatre in Stockholm dressed as the new queen as she and her husband sat in the royal box. He famously presented Queen Silvia with a rose at the end of his performance. And, as Swedish TV paid tribute to him, Queen Silvia replicated the gesture and handed over a pink rose to Christer Lindarw.

And she paid a moving tribute to him, saying ”from one Queen to another – thank you very much”.

The show was recorded at the start of May and broadcast on May 31 2025.