I extend a warm welcome to you – on World Alzheimer’s Day - to the Bernadotte Library, here in the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

We are here to recognize the creative ideas of the Queen Silvia Nursing Award scholars. Today, we have with us winners from both 2019 and 2020. I am so happy that you are able to join us!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the covid-19 pandemic has taken a great toll on all of our communities. It remains a great challenge, not least in developing countries, and I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you – our nursing heroes – who have sacrificed so much to keep us all safe. Thank you.

The Queen Silvia Nursing Award’s core mission is to recognize the men and women who are closest to patient care – nurses - and to embolden their innovative and game-changing contributions for ageing populations, particularly people living with dementia.

Our opportunity to live longer than ever is a privilege, made possible by science, knowledge, and information. However, ensuring high-quality elderly and dementia care for all in our ageing communities is going to require even more research, as well as new ideas and innovative solutions such as yours.

HM The Queen

I believe that amplifying the voices and impact of nurses may help communities all over the world, and that acknowledging their role is of critical importance.

Nurses, with your strategic overview yet close proximity to patients and families, are the experts who can contribute to a rethinking of processes, tools and methods for a better elderly and dementia care.

And it is our privilege, at the Queen Silvia Nursing Award, to tap into your problem-solving, solutions-driven ideas which will eventually benefit us all.

Dear nursing laureates: Our opportunity to live longer than ever is a privilege, made possible by science, knowledge, and information. However, ensuring high-quality elderly and dementia care for all in our ageing communities is going to require even more research, as well as new ideas and innovative solutions such as yours.

I extend my warmest appreciation to you and your peers for your outstanding contributions – not just today, but every day that you continue to serve us and your communities.

Thank you all for joining us today and I hope you enjoy today’s celebrations!