After hours of waiting it turned out to be quite a good choice to stand on Norrbro all day. At 6pm Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel finally came outside at the Lejonbacken side of the Royal Palace. Already before they appeared the choir and musicians had been practising, which was quite entertaining. Apart from six songs we even more enjoyed the appearance of guests on the balcony, in the windows and on the sides of the balcony. But the best was that the crown princessely couple with family and guests stayed on the balcony for no less than half an hour. And not only that: we also heard very nice short speeches from both King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria, which we hadn't really expected.
The choir of almost 300 singers from nine choirs was lead by Cecilia Rydinger Alin, the conductor of the Swedish Choral Society. The performing choirs include: Allmäna Sången (Uppsala), Erik Westerberg's Vocal Ensemble (Piteå), KFUM's Chamber Choir (Stockholm), La Cappella (Uppsala), Maria Magdalena Motett Choir (Stockholm), St. Johannes Chamber Choir (Stockholm), Stockholm Chamber Choir, Stockholm Student Singers and the Swedish Chamber Choir (Gothenburg). The trumpet call, entrance music and concluding piece will be performed by the Army's Music Corps.
Musical programme
Speeches
Kära stockholmare och alla invånare runt om i landet. Det är en underbar dag och en underbar syn att se alla som samlats här för att hylla brudparet.
Jag skulle vilja att vi alla gemensamt utbringar ett fyrfaldigt leve för Kronprinsessan och Prins Daniel.
De leve... hurra, hurra, hurra, hurra!”
(Thank you Kaija and Satu for helping me making this wonderful translation)
"Dear Stockholmers and all other fellow-countrymen. This is a wonderful day and it is a wonderful view to see all of you have gathered here to celebrate the bridal couple.
I would like to propose four cheers for the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel.
Long may they live ... hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!"
Kära, kära vänner!
Jag vill börja med att tacka svenska folket för att ni har gett mig min prins.
Vi, min make och jag, är så otroligt glada och väldigt tacksamma för att så många vill vara här och fira tillsammans med oss.
Det är en enorm upplevelse, det är vår absolut största dag hittills i vårt liv.
Att känna ert stöd betyder mer för oss än vad ni någonsin kan förstå.
Det är något otroligt.
I dag är en dag som vi kommer att bära med oss i våra hjärtan för resten av vårt liv.
Tack!
(Thank you Kaija and Satu for helping me making this wonderful translation)
Dear, dear friends!
I would like to start with thanking the Swedish people for you have given me my prince.
We, my husband and I, are so unbelievably happy and extremely grateful that so many of you are gathered here to celebrate with us.
It is an enormous experience, and it is absolutely the biggest day in our lifes so far.
It means more to us to feel your support than you ever can imagine.
It is something unbelievable.
This day is a day we will keep in our hearts for the rest of our lifes.
Thank you!
The bridal couple
The guests
Photos and copyright: Netty Leistra