| King And Queen Arrive In Sweden For Three-Day Visit |
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From Adnan Jahaya
STOCKHOLM, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid arrived here Wednesday for a three-day visit to Sweden.
The royal couple arrived at the Arlanda International Airport by a special Malaysian aircraft from Warsaw, Poland at 11.25 am (5.25 pm Malaysian time) and were received by their majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Royal Palace, here.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong were then accompanied by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia in a horse carriage to the inner courtyard of the Royal Palace for the official welcoming ceremony.
At the welcoming ceremony, the Malaysia anthem "Negaraku" was played, followed by the Swedish anthem before His Majesty and the Swedish King inspected the guard-of-honour mounted by the Royal Svea Life Guard (rpt Royal Svea Life Guard).
Dignitaries including Swedish ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps were then introduced to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
The royal couple were also introduced to officials from the Malaysian Embassy and their spouses by Malaysian Ambassador to Sweden, Jasmi Md Yusoff.
After the welcoming ceremony, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong were met by Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Lilian at the Royal Guest Apartment at the Royal Palace before leaving for a private luncheon hosted by King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia at Princess Sibylla"s Apartment nearby.
Later, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong visited the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) at Riksplan and was received by Parliament Speaker Bjorn von Sydow while the Raja Permaisuri Agong had a separate programme visiting Gamla Stan, old town of Stockholm.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong was later joined by the Raja Permaisuri Agong for a tour of Lake Malaren by a special boat MS Ridddarfjarden in the evening. The one-hour tour, accompanied by King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia, ended at the Royal Castle Logardstrappan here.
Wednesday night, the royal couple were scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by the Swedish King and Queen at Prince Bertil's Apartment here.
Thursday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong are scheduled to visit the heritage Gripsholmes Castle, Mariefred accompanied by their majesties King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia.
The Yang di Pertuan Agong is also scheduled to receive a courtesy call by Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Bosse Ringholm at the Royal Guest Apartment before leaving for Stockholm City Hall for luncheon.
Later, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is scheduled to visit the Ericsson Company at Kista Science City accompanied by the King Carl XVI.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is accompanied by a 50-member entourage, is here at the invitation of the King Carl XVI.
Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim is minister-in-attendance.
-- BERNAMA
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