The banquet began with the royals and other guests of honour entering the banquet hall in procession. Before that, the guests of honour had been introduced to the royal family in the Prince's Gallery.
From the royal family, King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine and her husband Christopher O'Neill will attend. Princess Sofia, however, announced early last fall that she will not be attending, the court said.
Crown Princess Victoria sat between the two chemistry laureates Susumu Kitagawa and Omar M. Yaghi. Thomas Perlmann, Vice Chairman of the Nobel Foundation Board, had the Queen at the table and the King had Nobel Foundation Chairwoman Astrid Söderbergh Widding as his lady-in-waiting.
One of the guests is former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Soup and turbot
When all 1,300 or so guests had toasted, a festive menu was served on fine china in the Blue Hall. The meal was prepared by chefs Pi Le and Tommy Myllymäki. The menu included porcini mushroom soup and turbot stuffed with scallops.
For dessert, created by pastry chef Frida Bäcke, there was Swedish sloe sorbet.
Composer Jacob Mühlrad was responsible for the music at the Nobel Banquet. In addition to newly written music, he also offered an interpretation of “One” by Swedish House Mafia.
The light show during the banquet was created by artist Alexander Wessely. He has previously collaborated with Jacob Mühlrad, but also with artists such as Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd.
Noticeably moved
Later in the evening, the laureates gave speeches. Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine Mary E Brunkow was visibly moved during her speech.
“As a woman scientist, I would like to especially thank the role models who gave me the courage and motivation to continue. I hope to be such a role model for my own daughters as well as for other young women who are passionate about science,” she said.
After the speeches, the table was broken and the guests moved from the Blue Hall to the Golden Hall for dancing.
