Friday 7 October 2016

Swedish State Visit to Germany, Day 2


The Queen of Flowers - Silvia of Sweden is showered with blooms on her arrival in Hamburg on day two of the Swedish State Visit to Germany
(photo kungahuset.se)

It was the day the King and Queen of Sweden caught the train. On the second day of their State Visit to Germany, Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia headed to Hamburg by rail for some more staples of a state visit - business talk and seminars. But they were back in Berlin in time for dinner where they glittered at another gala that ensured this State Visit has sparkled all the way.






After the State Banquet to end day one, there was no lie in for the King and Queen of Sweden as they hopped on a train for Hamburg just after 8 in the morning. The two hour journey brought them to the city where they were given an official welcome and lots of sunflowers before heading to the Town Hall for a meeting with the mayor, Olaf Scholz.





Then it was meetings time. The royal visitors met local politicians and dignitaries before heading off to the Chamber of Commerce for some business chat. One element of State Visits is always supporting economic ties between the two countries involved and Carl Gustaf and Silvia talked to leading members of the business community and attended a seminar on mobility. 




After lunch at the Town Hall, there was more business talk as the King and Queen of Sweden were given a tour of the project to regenerate Hamburg's old dock. Hafen City will see the land turned into offices, hotels and parks as well as a concert venue called the Elbphilharmonie. And to bring the ideas to life, they were treated to a taste of Mozart as they completed this part of the visit.




Before they left Hamburg, the royal couple took part in a press conference with the local mayor before making their way back to Berlin.




Before they left Hamburg, the royal couple took part in a press conference with the local mayor before making their way back to Berlin.





The evening of day two saw them host a return dinner for the President of Germany, Joachim Gauck, and his partner, Daniela Schadt. The royal couple entertained their guests at the Charlottenberg Palace but before they settled down to dinner, they were given a tour of the private library of Princess Sofia Albertina of Sweden which also included works owned by her mother, Louisa Ulrika who was Swedish queen consort between 1751 and 1771. 





The return dinner was another glittering event and included fish, reindeer steak and Swedish cheeses on the menu. The third day of #SweDE2016 is set to take King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia to social projects around Berlin.

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