The American Swedish Institute presents “Fit for a Queen: Nobel Gowns of H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden,” an exquisite exhibit of gowns worn to the annual Nobel Prize festivities by Silvia Sommerlath since becoming Queen of Sweden in 1976. The exhibit is on display from June 11th - September 28th 2008 and is included with museum admission.

On loan from The Royal Collections of Sweden, eighteen of Queen Silvia’s Nobel gowns, 1976 to 2006, are featured.  The gowns were all commissioned for the queen, who worked closely on the design of each with the prominent designers who created them.  Among these designers are well-known names such as Christian Dior (Paris), Nina Ricci (Paris), Jørgen Bender (Copenhagen) and Yuki (London).

Sweden’s royal couple takes a prominent place at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony and Banquet, held every year on December 10. King Carl XVI Gustaf presents medals and diplomas to the winners of the prestigious Nobel prizes in Literature, Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine, as well as the Prize in Economics. What follows is a spectacular formal banquet for 1,300 people at Stockholm’s City Hall, at which Sweden’s royal family are honored guests.

Born in Germany, Silvia met Crown Prince Carl Gustaf at the 1972 Olympics and became Queen of Sweden when they married in 1976.  Queen Silvia works actively for many causes, including children and the disabled. Among her many initiatives is the World Childhood Foundation, which she founded in 1999.

Photos by John Ray Photography.