1. The Prime Minister's cell phone record - 2003

The then Prime Minister Göran Persson (S) broke a clear etiquette rule at the table of honor.

In the middle of the Nobel dinner, he picked up the mobile phone and answered.

Crown Princess Victoria, who was sitting next to her, frowned uneasily as the conversation went on.

After criticism, Göran Persson defended himself by saying that he had to answer.

What was the conversation about?

The EU's new constitution.

Prime Minister Göran Persson talks on his mobile phone during the Nobel banquet.

Photo: Jonas Ekströmer, TT

2. Sara Danius color bomb for a dress – 2018

The Swedish Academy's former permanent secretary Sara Danius attracted attention and was praised for her choice of clothing during what would be her last Nobel party.

Danius's popsicle dress, with the associated tie bluescape, was interpreted by many as a boot to the Swedish Academy.

Kulturnyheterna's fashion critic Dennis Dahlqvist described the dress as "a color bomb that knocks out all the black and white penguins in the hall - the men in tailcoats".

Sara Danius at the Nobel Prize ceremony in the Konserthuset in Stockholm.

Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

3. The U2 star wore a hat - 2018

Another clothing shock this year was U2 guitarist David Howell, better known as The Edge.

He was invited as one of the guests of the Laureate in Medicine, James P Allison.

Many raised their eyebrows when he entered the banquet wearing a black cap.

"A breach of etiquette at its worst," Aftonbladet's court expert Jenny Alexandersson called it.

In an interview with SVT, he is said to have said that he was wearing a hat because "it's cold out there".

David Howell Evans "The Edge", guitarist in U2, during the Nobel Banquet 2018. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

4. The King's Secret Smoking - 1991

King Carl Gustaf was caught smoking on the sly during the Nobel party.

The whole thing was caught on film by the journalist Gert Fylking and the video clip has become a classic.

However, the king does not seem to appreciate being caught red-handed and was quick to try to remove the cigarette from his mouth.

5. No Nobel party - two years in a row - 2020-2022

Two years in a row, the pompous Nobel party had to be canceled as a result of the corona pandemic.

The award ceremony itself was televised from City Hall, where a small audience participated and where a link showed how the awardees received medals and diplomas in their home countries.


"The pandemic is fundamentally a major crisis for humanity, but it also shows how important science is," said the outgoing CEO of the Nobel Foundation, Lars Heikensten, to DN.

The presenters Victoria Dyring, Jessika Gedin, Pernilla Månsson Colt and Cecilia Gralde welcome to the 2021 program from the Golden Hall in Stockholm City Hall.

Photo: SVT

6. Princess's “Baywatch Dress” – 2002

Princess Madeleine appeared at the Nobel party in a red silk dress, which she herself designed together with Pär Engsheden.

The dress later came to be known as the Baywatch dress, because it was the same color as the swimsuits in the popular TV series, and mainly because of the generous neckline.

It wasn't the first time a neckline became a talking point at the Nobel party.

In 1992, it was the then culture minister Birgit Friggebo's (FP) dress that attracted attention.

Princess Lilian and Princess Madeleine.

Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

7. The Waiter's Mistake – 2018

The waiter would only scratch his neck when the impossible happened.

An oven-baked celeriac fell from the tray the waiter was balancing in one hand and landed on Professor Dan Larhammar's back.

However, the waiter, who served at the Nobel dinner for many years, was quick to brush away the remains from the professor - who reportedly did not take offense.

Photo: SVT

8. The SD leader was nobbed again – 2022

The fact that all the Riksdag's party leaders were invited to the Nobel party, except the Sweden Democrats' Jimmie Åkesson, led to headlines.

Despite the fact that SD is the country's second largest party after the autumn elections and forms the basis of the government, the Nobel Foundation stuck to its previous decision not to invite the SD leader.

"The Nobel Prize rests on a respect for science, culture, humanism and internationalism.

That respect is also the basis for the efforts that are celebrated and recognized (...) on December 10," the foundation wrote in a press release.

The Nobel Foundation's board has seen no reason to reconsider its previous decision.

Photo: Tim Aro/TT

9. Physics laureate etiquette scandal – 1976

Queen Silvia went to the Nobel party for the first time and had physics laureate Burton Richter as host.

She was probably not prepared for what happened next.

When the food arrived, the Nobel laureate took his spoon - and put it in Silvia's deep plate - to taste the food.

The Queen did as royalty usually does in such situations: Nothing.

Queen Silvia during her first Nobel party.

Photo: Jan Collsiöö/TT

10. The Prime Minister's table manners – 2007

The then Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (M) was, as usual, placed at the table of honor, next to Princess Madeleine.

The dinner went on without any scandals, but when dessert was served – vanilla ice cream with raspberry and blackcurrant terrine – the Prime Minister could not help but lick his fingers.

Criticism from various etiquette experts was not long in coming.

Fredrik Reinfeldt with the table lady Princess Madeleine during dessert.

Photo: HENRIK MONTGOMERY / TT