Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf (80) visited the Jamboree26 scout camp in Norra Åsum, southern Sweden, on Friday afternoon. Instead of a suit and tie, the monarch wore according to the regional newspaper "Kristianstadsbladet" the complete scout uniform: dark blue shirt with sewn-on badges, a neckerchief under the collar, and a light-colored cap.
And the monarch didn't come alone. "Together with 18,000 scouts, the royal couple participated in the scout camp 'Jamboree26' yesterday", states an Instagram post from the Swedish Royal House showing images of the visit. "This year's camp theme was 'Together', and alongside adventures and games, important social issues such as democracy, peace, and climate were also discussed."
Carl XVI Gustaf is honorary chairman of the Swedish scout movement, and his own scouting experience goes back to childhood. Back then, he had a nickname that hardly anyone would associate with a head of state today: "Mowgli".
Among the tent villages
Together with Queen Silvia (82), the King arrived at the camp grounds around noon, according to "Kristianstadsbladet". The couple spent the first hours among the groups without a fixed program. For dinner, the King stopped by the scout group from Umeå.
In the evening, Carl XVI Gustaf appeared on stage himself at the closing ceremony. Without a manuscript and without notes, he spoke about the approximately 60 million scouts worldwide. He emphasized how important it is to feel safe, both individually and in the group, in order to have the strength to help others. The leaders who had invested hundreds of hours into the camp received their own praise from the King, who added: "Scouting never really ends. Look at me! I've been doing this for all these years!"
He also brought humor with him. When he spoke about the evening's performers, he revealed what had been suggested to him behind the scenes: "Someone told me whether I shouldn't start and rap a little for you..." He didn't leave the answer open for long. "No, that's going too far! I won't do that."
Instead of rapping, he led the camp through the traditional "rocket", in which 18,000 scouts participated loudly before darkness fell. For the vast majority, it was the last night at the camp site, according to "Kristianstadsbladet".
