The Royal Court

King and Queen attend Lithuania's millennial celebrations

The King and Queen with King Harald V of Norway and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at Lithuania’s millennial celebrations. Photo: Maja Suslin/Scanpix

The King and Queen with King Harald V of Norway and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at Lithuania’s millennial celebrations. Photo: Maja Suslin/Scanpix

On Monday 6 July, the King and Queen attended Lithuania's thousandth anniversary celebrations in Vilnius, together with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and King Harald V of Norway.
Thousands of people had gathered in the city's streets to take part in the festivities, which began with a speech given by the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, outside the Presidential Palace on Daukanto Square.

The King and Queen then joined the invited guests for a high mass at Vilnius Cathedral, after which they attended the unveiling of a commemorative monument at the Palace of the Grand Dukes.

Lunch was served at the Museum of Applied Art, where the guests also visited a number of exhibitions.

The anniversary celebrations concluded with a performance by a choir of thousands in Vingio Park.

The King and Queen arrive at the inner courtyard of the Presidential Palace, together with the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus. Photo: Maja Suslin/Scanpix

The King and Queen arrive at the inner courtyard of the Presidential Palace, together with the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus. Photo: Maja Suslin/Scanpix

In the evening, President Adamkus hosted a gala banquet in the inner courtyard of the Presidential Palace.

In his speech at the banquet, the King spoke about the historic relationship between Sweden and Lithuania, including how Scandinavian Vikings sailed to Lithuania as early as the 8th century to trade goods, and how the two countries now enjoy a close relationship as fellow members of the EU.

The anniversary celebrations were also attended by the presidents of Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine and Georgia, as well as Cardinal Angelo Sodano from the Vatican City and the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt.