Dinner in a historic setting

On May 21, 2026, Sofiero Palace hosted the informal dinner held in connection with the NATO meeting in Helsingborg. The evening brought together the meeting’s 32 foreign ministers and their delegations in one of Sweden’s most historic and scenic settings. Hosts for the dinner were Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, together with His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, Her Majesty Queen Silvia and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Participants travelled by motorcade from central Helsingborg to Sofiero. Helsingborg residents gathered along Drottninggatan to catch a glimpse of the procession on its way to the palace.

The evening began with a short guided tour of Sofiero’s palace gardens, where guests experienced the gardens in bloom, the dramatic ravines and the sweeping views across the Öresund Strait to Denmark. Participants then gathered for a group photo in front of the palace before welcome speeches by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

As a special welcome, two Gripen fighter jets flew over Sofiero during the evening—a symbolic display of Sweden’s defence capabilities and international cooperation.

The menu

Dinner was served in the elegant surroundings of the palace and showcased local ingredients from Skåne and Nordic flavours.

Starter
White asparagus | Langoustine tartare | Swedish caviar
Wild garlic | Brown butter emulsion

Main course
Swedish lamb from southern Sweden | Wild garlic | Spiced tomatoes
Nettle cream | Morels | Glazed artichoke
Aromatic lamb jus | Hasselback potatoes | Black garlic

Dessert
Rhubarb | Lemon verbena | Herb sorbet
White chocolate namelaka
Lemon and cream cheese bavarois

The history of Sofiero

Sofiero’s connection to the Swedish royal family dates back more than 160 years. In 1864, Prince Oscar and Sophia of Nassau visited Helsingborg and were captivated by the natural beauty and sweeping views. Over time, Sofiero became one of Sweden’s most beloved royal summer residences, shaped by generations of passion for gardens and nature.

King Gustaf VI Adolf had a particularly close connection to Sofiero and donated the palace to the City of Helsingborg in 1973, with the wish that the gardens would always remain open to the public. King Carl XVI Gustaf also spent many summers at Sofiero as a child, making the evening’s dinner a return to a place filled with personal memories and Swedish history.