Thousands of people gathered in Stockholm on Saturday to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. The couple, who were married on June 19, 1976, were honored with a series of public and private events marking their golden jubilee.

The decision to hold the main celebrations on June 13 was made to avoid conflicting with Sweden’s Midsummer’s Eve holiday, which fell on the actual anniversary date this year. King Carl XVI Gustaf, 80, and Queen Silvia, 82, began the day with a traditional thanksgiving ceremony known as a Te Deum in the palace chapel. Following a lunch at the royal residence, the couple took part in a procession that included a trip aboard the royal barge Vasaorden and a horse-drawn carriage ride through Stockholm’s streets.

Under clear skies, thousands of Swedes lined the parade route, applauding and waving to the royal couple as they moved toward a concert held in Kungstradgarden park, which carried a theme of love. A separate jubilee concert was also planned later at the Royal Opera. The day concluded with a private dinner attended by family and close friends at the palace.

In an interview ahead of the celebration, the king and queen reflected candidly on their relationship. Queen Silvia highlighted the king’s sense of humor, dedication, and honesty as key strengths, while King Carl XVI Gustaf described her as “unbelievably considerate.” When asked about each other’s shortcomings, the queen joked about “so many things,” and the king teased the queen for frequently retreating to secluded rooms within the palace.

The king offered advice to couples beginning their relationships, emphasizing the importance of humility and preparedness for challenges. “You have to be prepared that it may not be as rosy as you imagined. You have to be humble and accept that there may be uphill struggles,” he said.

King Carl XVI Gustaf is Sweden’s longest-serving monarch and holds the record as the longest-reigning monarch in Europe, having reigned for 52 years. His marriage to Queen Silvia, a German-born former interpreter whom he met during the 1972 Munich Olympics, has produced three children: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Madeleine.

Despite controversies over the years, including allegations published in 2010 regarding the king’s personal conduct, he remains widely respected in Sweden. A recent survey by the Novus institute found that 69 percent of Swedes believe he represents the nation well.

In recent times, Sweden has marked several milestones for the king, including his 80th birthday in April and his 50 years on the throne last September. The golden jubilee of his marriage thus adds another significant occasion to a notable reign.