State visit from Germany – day 2
On Tuesday 7 to Wednesday 9 September, President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier carried out a state visit to Sweden at the invitation of His Majesty The King. The President was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Elke Büdenbender.
The German Presidential couple are given a tour of Drottningholm Palace. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The second day of the state visit from the Federal Republic of Germany began at Drottningholm. The palace is The King and Queen's permanent home, and is Sweden's best preserved 17th century palace. Drottningholm is also inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The King and Queen with the Presidential couple outside Drottningholm Palace. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
Museum educator Charlotte Arvidson from the Royal Court's Public Department speaks about the history of the palace. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The King and Queen and the Presidential couple walk from Drottningholm Palace to Drottningholm Palace Theatre. Photo: Charlotte Brunzell/SPA
The King and Queen showed the Presidential couple parts of the palace and Drottningholm Palace Theatre External link, opens in new window..
The theatre was built in 1766, and is now the world's only 18th century theatre to still use the original stage machinery.
At Drottningholm Palace Theatre, The King and Queen and Germany's Presidential couple were welcomed by Theatre Director Anna Karinsdotter. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
Lunch at Stockholm City Hall
In keeping with tradition, the City of Stockholm hosted lunch at Stockholm City Hall. There, the Royal Family and the Presidential couple were welcomed by Chair of the Municipal Council Cecilia Brinck and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr. Lunch was served in the Golden Hall.
The King and Queen and the Presidential couple were welcomed by Chair of the Municipal Council Cecilia Brinck and Finance Commissioner Anna König Jerlmyr on arrival at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signs Stockholm City Hall's visitors' book. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The King and President Steinmeier during lunch at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The Crown Princess during lunch in the Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
Visit to Scania, Karolinska Hospital and ArkDes
Earlier in the day, the President and The King visited Scania in Södertälje, accompanied by Minister Tomas Eneroth.
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The King, the President and Minister Eneroth learn about Scania's electric motors. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
Scania is a world-leading supplier of transport solutions, and has more than 50,000 employees in around 100 countries. Since 2014, Scania AB has been owned by Germany's Volkswagen Group. During the visit, the guests learnt about the company's work with sustainable transport, electrification and artificial intelligence.
The King test drives Scania's first fully electric lorry during the visit to Scania. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The King and the President then visited Karolinska University Hospital, together with State Secretary Maja Fjaestad. There, they learnt about the hospital's research and innovation work within e-health, and the impact of the pandemic on the area.
The King speaks with Hospital Director Björn Zoëga during the visit to Karolinska University Hospital. Photo: Sara Friberg/The Royal Court of Sweden
The visit to Karolinska University Hospital followed up on The King and Queen's visit to Charité University Hospital in Berlin during their state visit to Germany in 2016
The King, the President and Minister Amanda Lind during the visit to ArkDes. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
During a visit to ArkDes, Sweden's national centre for architecture and design, the guests learnt about Swedish architecture and sustainability, with a focus on construction using wood. There was also a digital visit to Sara Cultural Centre in Skellefteå, one of the world's tallest wooden buildings, which opened that day.
Visit to Silviahemmet, the German School and the Goethe-Institut
During the morning, The Queen, Mrs Büdenbender and State Secretary Maja Fjaestad visited Silviahemmet on Ekerö. The Silviahemmet Foundation was established by The Queen in 1996, and works to improve knowledge about dementia with the aim that those living with dementia and their relatives should enjoy the best possible quality of life.
The Queen and Mrs Büdenbender speak with Wilhelmina Hoffman, Operational Manager at Silviahemmet. Photo: Yanan Li
The Queen and Mrs Büdenbender then visited the German School on Östermalm in Stockholm. The school was founded more than 400 years ago, and is the second oldest German school outside Germany.
The Queen and Mrs Büdenbender during their visit to the German School. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
The school provides education from preschool up to upper secondary level. During their visit, the guests were met by students and staff who spoke about how they have carried out their studies during the pandemic, for example using digital tools.
The Queen and Mrs Büdenbender during their visit to the German School. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
The Presidential couple's reception for The King and Queen
In the evening, the Presidential couple held a reception for The King and Queen at the Royal College of Music.