Photo: Peter Knutson, The Royal Court, Sweden

King Carl XVI Gustaf has put a royal tradition on hold. A string of royal evening receptions that usually take place in the spring in Sweden have been cancelled. And all because of the upcoming Golden Jubilee.

Margareta Thorgren, the Swedish Royal Court’s head of information has just announced: “It all has to do with the fact that the King is celebrating 50 years on the throne this year and therefore is travelling extensively around the country together with Queen Silvia to meet the Swedish people. On the occasion of the royal jubilee year and the celebrations of the King’s 50 years on the throne, which will take place in September, there will be no representative dinners during the spring.”

The decision to cancel this spring’s dinners will give the King more time to plan and prepare for the celebration of his jubilee, which is a significant event for both him and the people. By reducing his official schedule, the King can dedicate more time and energy to ensuring that the Jubilee is a memorable and celebrated event. The news has already generated international media attention.

Several Swedish commentators point out that economics is probably also one of the reasons. As the planned jubilee will cost a lot of money, it is assumed that the Swedish King has cancelled the other gala dinners to give the impression of moderation.

The traditional annual representative dinners will this year be replaced by a grand celebration on the anniversary day on 15 September. This will be a glamorous gala dinner at the Royal Palace with guests from all corners of the world.

King Carl XVI Gustaf will mark 50 years on the throne on September 15 2023. He is the longest reigning king in Europe and the second longest reigning monarch, behind Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.