His Majesty...

Today, the Vasa Museum has a most distinguished visitor,

his Royal Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf.

He has come for the annual Naval Officers Review, a high-to-do ceremony for all the Swedish Navy's top brass. Although the Vasa may seem like a bit of an untactful centerpiece for this event given her failures as a sailing and fighting ship, her reputation as an icon of the Swedish Navy in the Great Power Period and as a spectacular feat of salvage and preservation must have met the King's approval.

Naturally, no detail has been overlooked in preparing for the King's visit. Extra cleaning crews have combed every surface of the shiphall, staff meetings have been convened on every imaginable topic including searches for burnt out lightbulbs, and everyone--even me--is on their best behavior. Klas, the museum's director, just stormed by all dec'd out in the finest tuxedo I've ever seen. He had the full works-- cummerbund, shimmering black shoes, bowtie, side-striped military pants (he's a former a naval officer himself), and my very favorite, long coat-tails.

But the restaurant staff has probably been the busiest of all, polishing glasswear, ironing tablecloths, and cooking up all kinds of super-fancy things. It is really quite an event.

So, Hail to the King!