King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia opened the National Day celebrations in Strängnäs. In his solemn speech, the King paid tribute to both Gustav Vasa and the Swedish flag.
"It represents everything we have achieved and what we are fighting to keep," the king said of the flag. Today it is 500 years since Gustav Vasea was elected king, and the King therefore began the National day celebrations. The flag will fly on June 6 everywhere in Sweden in squares and gardens, on buses and balconies.