The King holds formal audiences with new ambassadors
On Tuesday 12 October, The King received four new ambassadors during formal audiences at the Royal Palace.
It is accepted international practice that a new ambassador in a country is given the opportunity to meet the head of state, although the ceremonies vary in different countries. In Sweden, the reception of a foreign envoy follows a traditional ceremony, and is quite unique with its centuries old traditions.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremonies for the audiences were held on a smaller scale and were adapted in line with the current situation.
The foreign envoys received by The King during the formal audiences were:
- Ambassador Lourdes Victoria-Kruse from the Dominican Republic
- Ambassador Sergey Nurtayev from the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Ambassador Dharshana Mahendra Perera from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- Ambassador Vinicio Mati from the Italian Republic
Formal audiences follow a traditional ceremony. The ambassador is normally collected in one of the Royal Stables' carriages from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and is taken to the Royal Palace. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the ambassadors travelled to the Royal Palace in their own cars. The King and the ambassador then talk in private for around fifteen minutes.