An Unexpected Duo Shines at the Royal Palace Gala
Unforeseen Guest Appearance at the Charity Banquet - Noteworthy Presence at the Charity Gala Dinner
Cherry red, white, and a dash of royal glamour filled the Royal Palace in Stockholm during Iceland's state visit. The highlight? Princess Madeleine (42) and her hubby Chris O'Neill (50) stealing the spotlight at the gala dinner, a rare public appearance for the low-key pair.
Giddy with excitement, the Icelandic Presidential duo, Halla Tómasdóttir (resplendent in a white sequined dress) and Björn Skúlason (dignified in his Northern Star order), took their seats at the Gallery of King Karl XI. Charmed by her Royal Order of the Seraphim, Halla shone bright at the banquet.
Madeleine and Chris: The Stealthy Guests
Cough, cough - according to "Aftonbladet", Madeleine and Chris kept things cool and collected during the state visit. They happily attended the lunch at the palace, but skipped the official photo session like a couple of secret agents.
No sign of them on the royal calendar? No problem—their sneaky attendance at the gala dinner was a delightful surprise for all in attendance. Pretty sneaky, eh?
The Royals Bond Over Sustainable Fashion
Climate change and going green were topics on everyone's lips during the state visit. Eco-conscious style? Check. Queen Silvia donned a fuchsia number from the royal wardrobe, complete with a white sneaker peek-a-boo and her "Nine-Pointed Tiara." A fan-shaped diamond affair, it has deep roots in royal history.
Crown Princess Victoria? She sparkled in a flowery Frida Jonsvens dress and the "Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara." Originally belonging to Princess Margaret of Connaught, this heirloom is a valuable piece of royal jewelry.
Princess Madeleine set hearts ablaze in her 2019 Nobel Prize gown by Angel Sanchez. But the real showstopper was the "Rubindiadem" gracing her tresses. With a base of diamonds and rubies, this diadem has an interesting backstory, thanks to some family squabbles over ownership.
A Royal Feast Fit for a King
A glimpse of the gala dinner reveals the table dressed in silver from the Brazilian Service, glasses from Kosta (a gift from the government in 1976), and a mix of plates from the 1850s and 1990s. Y'all ready for some VIP chow? Here you go:
- Lightly smoked rainbow trout
- Stuffed chicken (you know, the good stuff)
- Rhubarb and burnt butter cake (because no fancy dinner is complete without dessert)
In his address to President Tómasdóttir, King Carl XVI Gustaf shouted out an Icelandic poem, "Havamal": "If you have a friend whom you know to be loyal and whose aid you would welcome, open your heart to him, exchange gifts, and visit him often."
The gala dinner closed off day one of the majestic state visit. The action-packed agenda continues with visits to the Karolinska Institute and KTH, so keep those eyes peeled!
- Gala Dinner
- Iceland
- Stockholm
- Royal Family
- Queen Silvia
- Halla Tomasdottir
- Chris O'Neill
- Aftonbladet
- Royal visits
- Fashion
- Sustainability
- Despite their absence from the royal calendar, Halle Thomas and her companion, Chris O'Neill of the Royal Family, made a surprising appearance at the gala dinner during the state visit in Stockholm.
- Queen Silvia stood out in a fuchsia gown from the royal wardrobe, adorned with a white sneaker peek-a-boo and the "Nine-Pointed Tiara," during discussions on climate change and going green.
- Princess Madeleine turned heads in her 2019 Nobel Prize gown by Angel Sanchez, while her hair was adorned with the "Rubindiadem," a diadem with a rich history of family squabbles over ownership.
- At the gala dinner, the table was set with silver from the Brazilian Service, glasses from Kosta, and a mix of plates from the 1850s and 1990s, followed by a VIP menu featuring lightly smoked rainbow trout, stuffed chicken, and rhubarb and burnt butter cake.
- In a tribute to Icelandic culture, King Carl XVI Gustaf quoted an Icelandic poem, "Havamal," during his address to President Halla Tómasdóttir, emphasizing the importance of friendship and mutual aid.
