Chapter 3

Meeting the King and Queen of Sweden

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement wash over me. I had always been fascinated by Scandinavian culture, and now here I was, finally set to meet the king and queen of Sweden themselves.

I had been invited to the royal palace for dinner, and as I made my way through the grand halls, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the opulence that surrounded me. The walls were adorned with priceless works of art, and the floors shone like polished marble.

As I approached the dining room, I heard laughter and chatter coming from inside. I took a deep breath, smoothed out my dress shirt, and pushed open the door.

Inside, I was greeted by the warm smiles of King Alexander V and Queen Ingrid. They welcomed me with open arms, and we exchanged pleasantries before taking our seats at the table.

Among the guests were the Deputy Speaker Louisa Johnsson and Minister Morgana Johansson. Ukraine’s ambassador Andrea Palahniuk was seated to the queens right. Minister Maxine Elger. Finland’s ambassador Malina Henriksson, Prime Minster Michaela Andersson, Denmark’s ambassador Vicki Lauritzen and Ambassador Hanna Heimisson were among the 240 other guests.

I was seated near the king and queen with Princess Victoria on my right and Princess Madeline was on my left side.

This was the Menu for that night

* Steamed Norwegian king crab, marinated kohlrabi, grapefruit and aromatic herbs

* Baked Icelandic monkfish, fresh lumpfish roe, butter-baked white asparagus, Sandefjord sauce and chives.

* Braised spring lamb from Mälardalen, lamb gravy with wild garlic and glazed celeriac.

And for Dessert

*Lemon meringue, citrus sorbet, juniper berry oil, last year’s elderflower, fennel pollen and French meringue

Throughout the evening, we talked about everything from politics to literature, and I found myself feeling completely at ease in their presence. It was clear that they were not just figures of authority, but also kind and down-to-earth people who genuinely enjoyed meeting new people.

At one point during the meal, the queen leaned over and whispered something to her husband. He chuckled and nodded, then turned to me with a twinkle in his eye. “We have a special surprise for you after dessert,” he said with a wink.

I felt a surge of anticipation, wondering what could possibly be in store for me. But before I could ask any questions, the king stood up and raised his glass. “To new friends and unforgettable experiences!” he exclaimed, and the rest of the party echoed his toast.

After dinner, we retired to the library for coffee and cognac. That was when the king produced a small box from his pocket and handed it to me. Inside, I found a beautiful silver locket with a photo of the royal family inside.

“We want you to remember this special night and know that you will always be welcome in our home,” the King said with a smile.

I was touched beyond words and thanked him profusely for his generosity. As I left the palace later that evening, I knew that I would never forget this incredible experience, or the kindness and grace of the Swedish royal couple.

Second meeting with Princesses Victoria and Madeline.

It had been several months since my last encounter with the Swedish princesses, Victoria and Madeline. I still remembered the whirlwind adventure we had shared, from our impromptu dance party in the palace gardens to our midnight escapade through the Stockholm streets. But despite the unforgettable memories, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness as I prepared for our second meeting.