A Shocking Appearance at the Royal Gala: Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill
Unforeseen attendance at the grand banquet - Remarkable Turnout at the Festive Gala Gathering
Remember when the glimmering gowns and vibrant cherry hues stole the show? The grandiose gala dinner held at the Royal Palace in Stockholm was nothing short of extraordinary, all while Iceland's President Halla Tómasdóttir graced the event with her presence. But the night took an unexpected twist when Princess Madeleine (42) and her husband, Chris O'Neill (50), made a rare public appearance during the state visit.
The Icelandic president, adorned in awards and sporting a satisfied grin, took their seats in the Gallery of King Karl XI in the palace's banquet hall. Halla Tómasdóttir, who had previously received the Royal Order of the Seraphim, dazzled in her white sequined dress. Her husband, Björn Skúlason, wore the Royal Order of the Northern Star - as per tradition during state visits.
Staying Out of the Limelight
So, what happened to Madeleine and Chris during the state visit? According to the gossip mills of "Aftonbladet", they kept things low-key throughout. As per official records, they attended the luncheon at the palace but missed the official photograph session. The absence of their names from the royal calendar for that day made their attendance at the gala dinner a thrilling surprise for many.
A Sustainable Fashion Statement
Climate concerns didn't just stop at the menu - sustainability also extended to fashion choices. The royals showed their commitment by recycling dresses from the royal wardrobe.
Queen Silvia, for instance, wore her fuchsia-colored gown for the occasion, this time paired with white sneakers and her walking stick. She accessorized the look with the "Nine-Pointed Tiara", a distinctive diadem belonging to Sophia of Nassau (1836-1913), the former Queen of Sweden and Norway.
Crown Princess Victoria went with a floral embellished dress by Swedish designer, Frida Jonsvens, previously worn at Norwegian Princess Ingrid Alexandra's 18th birthday celebration. Her choice of headpiece was the "Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara", an heirloom originally belonging to Princess Margaret of Connaught, the grandmother of King Carl Gustaf (79).
Princess Madeleine caught everyone's attention in her pink Angel Sanchez Nobel Prize gown. But it was the "Rubindiadem" adorning her locks that truly turned heads. As for the controversy surrounding this historic diadem, more details are needed to dive into its intriguing past.
An Exquisite Dinner Setting
Take a look at a royal household clip, and you'll see the gala dinner served at a long table adorned with historically prized items - silver from the Brazilian Service, originally belonging to the Brazilian imperial family, glasses from Kosta, gifted by the government in 1976, and an assortment of plates from the 1850s and 1990s.
The evening's meal consisted of three delicious courses: lightly smoked rainbow trout, stuffed chicken, and a mouthwatering dessert featuring rhubarb and burnt butter cake. As King Carl Gustaf (79) spoke to the president, he quoted a line from "Havamal", an Icelandic poem: "If you have a friend whom you know to be loyal and whose help you would welcome, open your heart to him, exchange gifts, and visit him often."
The gala dinner marked the close of the first day of the state visit, with the program moving forward to visits at the Karolinska Institute and KTH, among other places.
- Gala Dinner
- Iceland
- Brother
- Royal Family
- Halla Tomasdottir
- Queen Silvia
- Stockholm
- Aftonbladet
- The Icelandic president, Halla Tómasdóttir, received the Royal Order of the Seraphim during the state visit in Stockholm, adding another recognition to her list.
- Despite the rumors swirling in Aftonbladet, Princess Madeleine and her husband, Chris O'Neill, appeared low-key throughout the state visit, missing the official photograph session and not appearing on the royal calendar for that day.
- The royal family showed their commitment to sustainability by recycling dresses from the royal wardrobe, with Queen Silvia wearing her fuchsia-colored gown, originally from the 1990s, and Crown Princess Victoria choosing a floral embellished dress by Swedish designer, Frida Jonsvens.
- Princess Madeleine captured everyone's attention at the gala dinner in her pink Angel Sanchez Nobel Prize gown, accessorized with the "Rubindiadem," a historical diadem that has a fascinating past.
- As the gala dinner concluded the first day of the state visit, the program continued with visits to the Karolinska Institute and KTH, among other places, emphasizing the importance of exchange and innovation—just as King Carl Gustaf (79) quoted in an Icelandic poem during his speech at the dinner: "If you have a friend whom you know to be loyal and whose help you would welcome, open your heart to him, exchange gifts, and visit him often."
