Thai King and Queen join royal guests at Swedish king's 80th birthday banquet
Thailand's King and Queen attended Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf's 80th birthday banquet in Stockholm, reinforcing diplomatic ties between two kingdoms with a friendship dating back to 1868.
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN — King Carl XVI Gustaf marked his 80th birthday with a grand celebration at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, attended by heads of state and members of foreign royal families.
Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand were among the invited guests, joining dignitaries at a state banquet hosted by the Swedish monarch in honour of the occasion. The event brought together leaders, royals and distinguished guests participating in the birthday celebrations. The King of Thailand wore white tie, while the Queen appeared in an evening gown, wearing a tiara and the Order of the Royal House of Chakri.
During the banquet, King Carl XVI Gustaf delivered remarks thanking heads of state and royal families from Thailand and across Europe for attending. After the dinner, Crown Princess Victoria paid tribute to her father in a speech honouring his reign.
Thailand and Sweden share long-standing royal ties dating back to 1868, when both kingdoms signed the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation during the reign of King Mongkut. Relations were further strengthened in 1897, when King Chulalongkorn visited Sweden during his first tour of Europe and was received by King Oscar II. The visit is commemorated annually in Ragunda, where the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Pavilion marks the historic occasion.
Later, King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit paid a state visit to Sweden in 1960. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have also made several visits to Thailand over the years, reflecting the close relationship between the two royal families. The Thai royal family was the only royal representation from Asia attending the celebration.
