King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversary with Carriage Ride Through Stockholm

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath had met in 1972 at the Olympic Summer Games in Munich, where the German-Brazilian native worked as chief hostess. At their first meeting, she recalled, she noticed a sparkle in his eyes. "He took a telescope and looked at me with it from a distance of about one and a half meters. I laughed a lot about it," she described the scene in the TV4 documentary "The Royal Couple – 50 Years Together."

In March 1976, the engagement of the then Crown Prince and the young woman from abroad was officially announced. At the press conference, she sat nervously on a dark green sofa and said: "I am very happy to be in Sweden." The wedding in the summer of 1976 drew thousands of celebrating Swedes to Stockholm Palace and into the city center. The evening before, the band ABBA had performed "Dancing Queen" live especially at the Stockholm Opera – a tribute to the future queen. The royal couple arrived at the wedding ceremony aboard the royal barge "Vasaorden."

Reflections in the TV4 Documentary

For the round anniversary, the Swedish broadcaster TV4 produced the documentary "The Royal Couple – 50 Years Together," in which family members have their say. Crown Princess Victoria, 48, the eldest of the three children, was visibly moved by her mother's achievement. "The way she did it, the way she made Papa's life mission her own – now I'm a little moved, because that is no easy task," said the heir to the throne. She also described her parents as grandparents who serve particularly large amounts of ice cream. "They serve particularly large amounts of ice cream and are particularly sweet," said Victoria.

Prince Carl Philip, 47, and Princess Madeleine, 44, also spoke in the film. Carl Philip described the bond between his parents as remarkable. "It is inspiring and fascinating that they have managed to stay together like this, and in the way they have done it. They are truly a team," he said. King Carl XVI Gustaf, who had been considered a playboy before his marriage, responded to a question about the "spark" between him and his wife with a joke. "I think it creaks above all – in the back," the monarch quipped.

Spark and Everyday Life After 50 Years

In March of this year, cameras had captured the couple at a celebration in Stockholm, dancing closely and kissing to ABBA music – the song was "Dancing Queen." The Queen confirmed in the documentary that the invitation to dance occurs more frequently among them than some might assume. When asked by journalists whether the spark between them is still there after 50 years, she replied: "I don't know how it is for you, but for me it is."

Silvia, who initially spoke only broken Swedish, described being a grandmother as the "dessert of life" and later as a blessing. "It is a blessing and so incredibly fun with them," she said. Together with the King, the couple looks after nine grandchildren. For the anniversary, the Queen gave thanks for the years they have shared. "We are grateful for the years together. Only that they have passed so quickly, one does not understand. But we are doing well," she said.

Celebrations in Stockholm

The Swedish royal house had used the anniversary as an occasion for public appearances. The carriage ride through Stockholm and the appearance before the citizens formed the prelude to the multi-day celebrations. The documentary on TV4, along with numerous interviews with family members, accompanied the festive day. The royal couple has lived in Stockholm for decades and continues to carry out official engagements on a regular basis. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia are regarded in Sweden as one of the most enduring symbols of the monarchy.

Coverage of the golden wedding anniversary fell into the category of a joyful but at the same time strongly media-staged event. The biography "The Reluctant Monarch," published in 2010, which attributed to the king a fondness for parties in the red-light district and affairs, remained a marginal note in the current anniversary context. The Queen had never commented on the allegations and had continued to fulfill her royal duties, according to reports.