Swedish royal wedding proceeds with only a forgotten kiss; Finnish politician begins military service

Sweden's royal family celebrated a grand union as King Carl XVI Gustaf married Silvia Sommerlath in Stockholm's Great Church. The ceremony, officiated by Archbishop Olof Sundby, was a dazzling spectacle witnessed by approximately 1,200 guests and millions across Europe via live television broadcast. Despite the pageantry, a small detail – the wedding kiss – was reportedly overlooked. Following the nuptials, the newly crowned Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf departed for a more modest, yet adventurous, two-week safari honeymoon in Kenya. The procession through Stockholm, watched by an estimated 150,000 to 180,000 people, was met with cheers and waving Swedish flags, highlighting Silvia's rapid rise in popularity among the Swedish public. Law enforcement reported no incidents during the celebrations, allowing over a thousand police officers to breathe a sigh of relief as the festivities concluded without major disruption. In a separate segment, Finnish politician Erkki Liikanen is detailed undergoing his mandatory military service at Savon Prikaati. Liikanen finds the structured routine of army life a stark contrast to his parliamentary duties, noting the predictability of his days. He describes the camaraderie among fellow conscripts as a "peerless cross-section of the nation" and adapts to the reduced pay, finding little opportunity to spend money. Liikanen, who is also a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections, is balancing his military service with his political aspirations.

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The wedding kiss was forgotten, but otherwise the wedding proceeded without incident.