The Royal Court

Gala dinner at the Royal Palace

President Tarja Halonen och H.M. Konungen på galamiddag på Kungliga slottet. Foto: Bertil Ericson, Scanpix

President Tarja Halonen and H.M. The King attending the gala dinner at the Royal Palace. Photo: Bertil Ericson, Scanpix

The King and Queen held a dinner at the Royal Palace on the evening of Thursday 15 January for Finland's President Tarja Halonen and her husband Dr Pentti Arajärvi, who are on a two-day visit to Sweden.

The Royal Family was also represented by Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Madeleine and Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson, with her husband, Consul General Tord Magnuson. The King and Queen welcomed around 160 guests in the “Vita havet" assembly rooms before the dinner took place in Karl XI's gallery.

Guests included the President's official retinue, representatives from the diplomatic corps, the Swedish parliament, the government, counties and authorities, as well as representatives from the Swedish science, culture and business communities.

Menu


The menu consisted of artichoke and chestnut soup with confit of duck; roasted farmed halibut with braised little gem lettuce, vegetables and horseradish velouté sauce; and truffle-stuffed Bresse chicken with glazed carrots and potato puree, served with confit of duck leg. Dessert was the restaurant Operakällaren's lemon dessert with French meringue.

The King accompanied President Tarja Halonen to the table, and psychiatrist Ylwa Westerberg, wife of speaker Per Westerberg, was seated on his other side. The Queen was accompanied to the table by Dr Pentti Arajärvi, and Finland's speaker, Sauli Niinistö, was seated on her other side. Finland's speaker, Sauli Niinistö, accompanied The Crown Princess to the table, and Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt was seated on her other side. Princess Madeleine was accompanied to the table by Ambassador Alec Aalto, and Dr Pentti Arajärvi was seated on her right. Princess Christina was accompanied to the table by First Deputy Speaker Seppo Kääriäinen, and on her right was Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.