H.M. Konungens tal vid lunchen för Förbundsrepubliken Tysklands president, Joachim Gauk och fru Schadt
Kungl. Slottet, Stockholm
(Det talade ordet gäller)
Mr. President and Mrs. Schadt,
Talmannen,
Your Excellencies,
Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen!
We are very happy that You are here in connection with the German School 400 years Jubilee.
The contacts and relationships between our countries go way back and not only to Lutzen or the HANSA.
Historical and cultural links have always been very close and very fruitful.
Some Swedish Crown Princes have even had an eye on some German beauties, like Louisa Ulrika von Preussen, Josephine von Leuchtenberg, Sophia von Nassau, Victoria von Baden, Sybilla von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha, my mother, and a Heidelbergerin!
Over the years my family and I have had several occasions to visit Germany of course.
Each time we are very warmly received and so were Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel during their official visit to Germany some years ago. We do have many pleasant memories both from our official and private stays.
Your visit to Sweden this time is very short. But during even a brief visit like this, the topics Germany and Sweden have in common become quite obvious.
It is easy to travel between our countries and both people and business have benefited from that opportunity.
Once again, it is a great pleasure for me to welcome You and your delegation to Sweden and the Palace.
Thank You!
Auf Ihr Wohl!
Skål!