ABBA makes history by winning prestigious Swedish ‘knighthood’ for pop career

June 1, 2024 12:36 PM

File photo.

By royal appointment, the Swedish supergroup ABBA has finally received recognition for their musical contribution to Sweden and international culture by winning a prestigious knighthood for their pop career which has not been handed out to anyone in almost 50 years.

The band, which consists of Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, received the knighthoods from King Carl XVI Gustaf in the gilded Vita Havet Assembly Rooms of the Royal Palace - in a ceremony aired live on Swedish media.

Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson receive the Royal Vasa Order from Sweden's King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia on Friday May 31. Pic: AP

The four were presented with great honor in a red box by the monarch while Queen Silvia handed them a diploma.

"The order you get today is Sweden's thanks for your exceptional efforts," the sovereign said before giving the orders to ABBA and nine other "exceptional Swedes".

Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson receive the Royal Vasa Order at a ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on Friday May 31. Pic: AP

The order comes 50 years after ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, with their song Waterloo, and they remain the most successful act in the competition's history.

Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson receive the Royal Vasa Order from Sweden's King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia on Friday May 31. Pic: AP

They have sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide and the stage musical based on their songs, Mamma Mia!, is now 25 years old and has spawned two films.

The Swedish stars have not performed live together for four decades but reunited for a comeback album, Voyage, in 2021 and launched their hologram show in a specially-built London arena a year later.

FILE - Swedish pop group ABBA celebrate winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest on stage at the Brighton Dome in England with their song