Sweden celebrates king's 70th birthday with ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'

Sweden's Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf arrive in an open carriage for lunch at Stockholm City Hall as part of the celebration for the king's birthday in Stockholm on Saturday, April 30, 2016.
Sweden's Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf arrive in an open carriage for lunch at Stockholm City Hall as part of the celebration for the king's birthday in Stockholm on Saturday, April 30, 2016.

STOCKHOLM — Swedes and royals from around the world celebrated King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th birthday as ABBA's "Dancing Queen" rang out from an army band Saturday in Sweden.

After a service in the palace chapel attended by the king's family and royal visitors from Japan, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, the outdoor celebration for Sweden's monarch of 43 years included a tightly choreographed military parade. In the palace yard, children gave the king flowers before gun salutes rang out.

He also went on a ride through Stockholm in an open horse-drawn carriage. Thousands of Swedes, some wearing plastic crowns, lined the route to City Hall. The king was visibly moved when he was greeted by a choir singing the Beatles hit "All You Need Is Love."

Born on April 30, 1946, Carl XVI Gustaf ascended the throne in 1973 and married German commoner Silvia Sommerlath three years later. They have three children and five grandchildren. Crown Princess Victoria is next in line to the throne.

The king's popularity dived after newspapers alleged that he had visited strip clubs, resulting in a poll showing that many thought he should abdicate in favor of the 38-year-old Victoria.

Swedish media, meanwhile, feared the celebration could be a possible target following reports that Iraqi authorities told Sweden's security agency about Islamic State militants who were reportedly planning an attack in Stockholm.

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