ABBA reunite to collect knighthood in Stockholm

ABBA made a rare public appearance in Stockholm last Friday (May 31) to recieve one of Sweden's most prestigious awards.

Benny, Agnetha, Anni-Frid and Björn were recognised with a knighthood by King Carl XVI Gustaf for their cultural importance and worldwide impact.

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As part of a ceremony at Stockholm’s Royal Palace, the four were presented with the Royal Vasa Order for “distinguished contributions within Swedish and international music life,” reports The Guardian.

In an honour that hadn’t been bestowed for 50 years, the four were some of the first to receive a knighthood since the award was reinstated in 2022.

Candidates for the award were nominated by both the Swedish public and the Swedish government, with the final winners being chosen by the monarch himself.

The band shot to global fame following winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Waterloo’. They followed this up with a series of major hit singles, including ‘Money, Money, Money’ (1976), 'Dancing Queen’ (1976), ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ (1979) And ‘The Winner Takes it All’ (1980).

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Despite remaining one of the most popular bands of all time, ABBA haven’t performed together since 1982, when they broke up following the splitting up of both couples in the band. However, in 2022 they appeared in public to announce their Voyage Concert Tour.

Jamaal Johnson is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Instagram