King opens Parliamentary Session

Kungen förklarar 2009/2010 års Riksmöte öppnat. I bakgrunden talman Per Westerberg. Foto: Fredrik Sandberg/Scanpix

The King declares the 2009/2010 Parliamentary Session open. Speaker Per Westerberg is pictured in the background. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/Scanpix

On Tuesday 15 September, The King opened the 2009/2010 Parliamentary Session.
This year's Parliamentary Session began with a service at Stockholm Cathedral, which was attended by The King and Queen, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine.

The service was led by Dean Åke Bonnier, and the sermon was given by retiring Bishop of Stockholm, Caroline Krook. Readings were given by Maynard Gerber, cantor for the Jewish Community in Stockholm, and Imam Abd al Haqq Kielan.

Afterwards, The King and Queen, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine were taken by horse and carriage from the Royal Palace to the Swedish Parliament building, Riksdaghuset, where they were met by Speaker Per Westerberg.

Kungen och Drottningen anländer till Riksdagshuset i samband med Riksmötets öppnande. Foto: Toni Sica/Stella Pictures

The King and Queen arriving at Riksdaghuset in connection with the opening of the Parliamentary Session. Photo: Toni Sica/Stella Pictures

After The King had declared the Parliamentary Session open, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt read the Statement of Government Policy. During the opening of the Parliamentary Session, music was performed by Sofia Jannok with trio.
The Crown Princess, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine at the opening of the Parliamentary Session. Photo: Toni Sica/Stella Pictures
In the evening, The King and Queen, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine attended a concert at the Royal Opera House, which was held to mark the opening of the Parliamentary Session.