On 31 May 2024 Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Reuss, and Björn Ulvaeus were awarded the Royal Order of Vasa as Commander of the First Class by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, for “very outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music life.”
All four attended the ceremony, and afterwards posed for waiting photographers (above). It’s not the sort of thing you could turn down, is it? Though it’s possible this may be the last ever ABBA appearance.
Sweden does not use titles such as Sir or Dame, but the honour does entitle them to use the post-nominal KVO1cl. This was the first time such honours have been bestowed on Swedish citizens for almost 50 years. In 1975 they were stopped due to the cultural and political climate at the time.
In all, 13 people received honours on that day. Read the full list of honourees here.
Watch the whole ceremony on SVTPlay.
ABBA Omnibus blog 