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2012-02-05

Tradition and customs on the occasion of a royal birth

The following traditional ceremonies will take place in the order below in connection with the birth of The Crown Princess' baby, which is due at the beginning of March 2012.

Press release
On the occasion of a royal birth, the Marshal of the Realm notifies the nation's leaders of the birth. A press release from the Marshal of the Realm will then be published at www.kungahuset.se and at www.facebook.com/kungahuset.
 
Statement of witness
On the occasion of a royal birth, a statement of witness is drawn up in accordance with tradition. This is done on the day after the birth, unless the birth takes place on a Saturday, in which case the statement of witness is drawn up on the following Monday.
 
The Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Marshal of the Realm and the Mistress of the Robes are the witnesses. The statement of witness is signed and sealed by these witnesses.
 
Cabinet meeting
On the occasion of a royal birth, a cabinet meeting is held. The King convenes the cabinet meeting in accordance with chapter 5, § 3 of the Instrument of Government, which states that the Government shall hold a cabinet meeting chaired by the Head of State. Cabinet meetings held at The King's initiative include those held in the event of the birth of an heir to the throne.
 
At the cabinet meeting, The King informs the Government of the title, name, given name and assigned duchy of the heir to the throne. The cabinet meeting is held on the day after the birth, unless the birth takes place on a Saturday, in which case it is held on the following Monday.

Salute
On the occasion of a royal birth, a salute is fired from Skeppsholmen in Stockholm in accordance with the Swedish Armed Forces' ceremonial provisions (Instruction to the Swedish Armed Forces, ceremonies; Cerl FM 2010). For the firstborn of a Head of State or an heir to the throne, a salute is fired in two rounds, with a one minute interval, of 21 shots each. Salutes are also fired at the salute stations in Boden, Härnösand, Karlskrona and Gothenburg.
 
Te Deum
On the occasion of a royal birth, a thanksgiving service — the Te Deum — is held. The Te Deum is an ancient church ceremony, which in a royal context takes place in connection with important events in the Royal Family: christenings, birthdays, jubilees and other ceremonial occasions. The last time a Te Deum was held was on 30 April 2006, to mark the occasion of The King's 60th birthday.
 
The Te Deum is held in the Royal Chapel on the day after the birth, unless the birth takes place on a Saturday, in which case it is held on the following Monday. The invited guests are the immediate family, representatives of the Riksdag and the Government, other representatives of official Sweden and the staff of the Royal Court.
 
Invitations to the Te Deum were sent out on 1 and 2 February 2012. This is because the Royal Court sends out invitations to major events around one month before the event takes place.

A photo pool will be arranged at the cabinet meeting and the Te Deum.