STOCKHOLM — Royals from around the world flew in, loyal Swedes lined the streets of Stockholm and the sounds of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” rang out from an army band on Saturday as Sweden celebrated King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 70th birthday.
After a service in the palace chapel attended by the king’s family and royal visitors from Japan, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, the outdoor pomp and celebrations for Sweden’s monarch of 43 years included a tightly choreographed military parade. In the palace yard, children gave the king flowers before gun salutes rang out, and he went on a ride through Stockholm in an open horse-drawn carriage.
Thousands of Swedes, some wearing plastic crowns, lined the route to City Hall. In the crowd were fans snapping cellphone photos and scouts in uniform, for the king is an honorary chairman of the World Scout Foundation.
At Stockholm City Hall, the king was visibly moved when he was greeted by a choir singing the Beatles hit “All You Need Is Love” – with the guests joining in.
The king’s popularity has dived after newspapers alleged that he had visited strip clubs.
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