Official flag ceremony at Karlberg Castle

Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters – 19 March 2024 kl: 14.58

On Monday, March 18th, The Chief of Defence of the Swedish Armed Forces, general Micael Bydén hosted a flag ceremony at Karlberg Castle in the presence of His Majesty the King, to manifest Sweden's entry into the NATO defense alliance.

Ceremoni
Ceremoni
Swedish Gripen jets passing over The Royal Guards at the start of the ceremony. Photo: Hampus Andersson/Försvarsmakten
ÖB
General Micael Bydén hosted a flag ceremony at Karlberg Castle in the presence of His Majesty the King, to manifest Sweden's entry into the NATO defense alliance. Photo: Hampus Andersson/Försvarsmakten

– Now we are experiencing the shift from being a partner to being an ally, which is a significant change for the Swedish Armed Forces and my personnel. The defense of Sweden now begins at NATO's common border. The mission of the Swedish Armed Forces from now on is: We defend Sweden, our allies, and our freedom to live as we choose, said the The Chief of Defence of the Swedish Armed Forces, in his speech to the audience.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and MSB's Director-General Charlotte Petri Gornitzka also spoke.

After the ceremony, specially invited guests were welcomed into the Rikssalen in the castle, where Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the leader of the Social democrats, Magdalena Andersson, delivered speeches to the ambassadors of the NATO countries in Sweden.