The King & Queen of Sweden arrives in Småland to spend time in their summer castle on Öland

I can highly recommend for any U.S. citizen that want to broaden their views to travel to Europe, spend some time in Spain, Italy, France and of course don’t forget Scandinavia. I just arrived in Sweden form southern Europe last night, and this morning I boarded a flight that essentially replicated my first flight (see earlier post). It was a different plane and a different airport in Stockholm, the old Bromma airport was the airport then, today Arlanda is the big commercial airport in Stockholm. As it happened, I found myself on the flight on the small Saab 2000 (50-58 passenger 2 engine turbo-prop)

Saab 2000 turbo prop
Saab 2000 turbo prop

with the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and his Queen Silvia. They were on their way to their summer castle on the island of Öland off the coast of Småland (birthplace of Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA) to spend some time there. I even had the chance of wishing them a relaxing time off at the castle. They are both very nice people and Queen Silvia has a most engaging smile – she is a beautiful Queen!

Here is the Queen in the passenger seat and the King driving for their trip over the bridge to the island and their summer castle.

King Carl XVI Gustaf in their Volvo wagon
King Carl XVI Gustaf in their Volvo wagon

The security detail followed in the standard issue black Volvo sedan.

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