A Royal visit

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visited the World Scout Jamboree on Friday. Visibly impressed with the Jamboree and its organisation, the King toured the campsite, had lunch at the Dining Hall, climbed the Jamboree tower and of course spoke to the Scouts attending the Jamboree.

The visit started with a guided tour round the camp. “The King was interested in everything going on at the camp” says Anna Persson, who guided the King. “He asked about Messengers of Peace, the Shelterbox project and the Faiths and Beliefs zone.” Anna continues.

Joined by Queen Silvia, the King had lunch at Dining Hall. “We showed the kitchen and washing up area” says Emma Söderlind, Head of Kitchen block. “They seemed interested, and impressed by the large quantities we serve. And they liked the food” she adds.

After lunch the royal couple first visited the Jamboree Tower, then a Thai Unit. The King and Queen were greeted by the HM King Carl XVI Gustaf’s own Scout Troop, set up 1996 in honour of the Swedish King. “I was very proud to meet the King” says Pimkamon Thepwongrangrsri, who presented the ribbon the King tied to the Unit’s flag. The King also met a Scout troop set up at a school for blind children with funding from the King.

The next stop was a Swedish unit where the King talked briefly with the Scouts. “It was fun to talk to him, he seems like a good guy” says Hampus Forsberg and Elias Kramer. “He asked us about the camp, the food and the activities”.

The last place to see was the Participant Food Shop in Winter, where the King talked to the Special Food Handlers. “He was very interested in the special food” says Majvor Fogelberg. “And he had heard about how popular the chocolate cream (Nutella) was” adds Kristýna Glosová.

During the afternoon the royal couple were guided by, among others, Julius Kramer and Sofia Almén, both from Sweden. “It was really nice to talk about the camp” says Sofia. “And it was relaxed, not nervous at all”, adds Julius. Ross Macey from the Netherlands was also part of the group. “We talked about the impact of Scouting, Camp in camp and the different activities” he says.

You can also download the podcast of the Jamboree Radio’s interview with H.M. about scouting and the Jamboree.

Text: Wilhelm Tunemyr
Photo: André Jörg/Scouterna