King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia in Estonia for a State Visit

On Tuesday, May 2, Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia began their three-day visit to Estonia, Sweden's neighbor in the Baltic region.

It's the first state visit of King Carl XVI Gustaf to Estonia in 30 years. They were received by Estonian President, Alar Karis and his wife at Tallinn’s central Freedom Square with full military honors.

Crowd composed of adults and children warmly welcome the Swedish royals, waving the Estonian and Swedish flags.

The last time King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paid a state visit to Estonia was in 1992, a year after the Baltic nation regained its independence from the Soviet Union after nearly 50 years of rule.

The royal visit will focus on boosting cooperation between the two countries in the security and defense sectors, economy and in the field of education, research and innovation, the Estonian president’s office said.

A state banquet was held that evening for the visiting Swedish royals and their hosted by President Alar Karis and was held at at Viimsi Artium in Lubja, Estonia.  state banquet was held that evening for the visiting Swedish royals and their hosted by President Alar Karis and was held at at Viimsi Artium in Lubja, Estonia. 

The president’s office said the visit, to both Tallinn and the second city of Tartu, “underscores the close friendship between Estonia and Sweden, all the more so given that it is taking place during the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s accession to the throne.”

King Carl XVI Gustaf turned 77 on April 30, 2023. Starting June, celebrations for the King's Golden Jubilee will kick off in Sweden. Street celebration and festivities will be organized around the country.

During the State Banquet, Queen Silvia wore a Ruby Tiara originally owned by Crown Princess Margarita of Sweden, the King's grandmother who was born a British princess.