H.M. Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and the Finnish presidential couple, President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio, waving from the balcony of the Presidential Palace to the crowd of a few hundred standing on the Market Square in Helsinki, Finland on Tuesday, March 3 2015. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today
King Carl XVI Gustaf and H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden arrived at the Presidential Palace about 11:10 on Tuesday morning for the official welcoming ceremony by the Finnish presidential couple, President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio.
A few hundred people had gathered at the Market Square, which is located in front of the palace. The weather was chilly and drizzling.
After the official handshakes and the Finland’s national anthem, Maamme, the king and the queen and the presidential couple walked inside the palace and climbed to the second floor to the balcony.
It was time for the royal hand wave, which was joined by President Niinistö and Mrs Haukio.
The crowd cheered and screamed from the Market Square, which made the royals and the presidential couple smile.
After waving for a few minutes, King Gustaf and Queen Silvia went back inside and were ready to start the official state visit, which will last until Thursday.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden arriving in front of the Presidential Palace. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today
The king and the queen and the presidential couple shaking hands with the delegation. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today
King Gustaf pulls on his glove after the handshakes in the chilly Finnish weather. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today
