The legendary Swedish band ABBA, winner of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, gathered on May 31 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm to receive one of their country’s most important awards from King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The members of the group Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were awarded the Royal Order of Vasa as ‘Commander First Class‘, a knighthood that had not been awarded for 50 years.
The band became worthy of such distinguished recognition due to their “very outstanding efforts in Swedish and international musical life” on the fiftieth anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision triumph with the song ‘Waterloo’.
The award is a recognition of outstanding Swedish citizens who have stood out for their personal efforts for the country, as well as for the successful performance of public duties and assignments, the award inactive until 2022, when it was reactivated after royal orders were opened to Swedish citizens.
“The order you receive today is Sweden’s thanks for your exceptional efforts,” the monarch said before handing over the order to the band, along with 9 other distinguished citizens.
The event could be seen thanks to the fact that it was broadcast by Swedish media.
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At the recent edition of Eurovision, which was held in Sweden and coincided with the 50th anniversary of the band’s triumph in the contest, the band was expected to appear to commemorate the feat, however, the contest was overshadowed by the current international crisis of Israel against Palestine. Despite everything, the Abba was honored in a part of the show, but without the presence of its members.
The King and Queen of Sweden have maintained a special connection with Abba when the band performed a day before the couple’s wedding in 1976 and performed “Dancing Queen” as a special tribute to the royal couple.
