The Royal Orders of Knighthood can now be awarded, for the first time in almost 50 years, to Swedish citizens for exceptional contributions. The recipients have been nominated by the public and selected by the Council of the Royal Orders, after which the government approved the names, and H.M. The King has formally decided on the awarding of the orders.
The process for Swedes to once again be awarded royal orders was initiated in 2018 through a committee initiative in the Committee on the Constitution. In December 2022, the government decided on a new regulation regarding Sweden's foremost awards for meritorious contributions, with broad support in the parliament.
The Royal Order of the Sword was established in 1748 and is awarded to military personnel. Following a parliamentary decision, the royal orders were put on hold from 1975 for Swedish citizens.
Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporre received the Royal Order of the Sword, Commander Grand Cross, for extraordinary leadership under war-like conditions in Mali. For three years, he was in charge of over 13,000 people from 60 different countries participating in the MINUSMA mission in Mali.
Colonel 1st Grade Ulf Henricsson received the Royal Order of the Sword, Commander 1st Class, for very exemplary leadership under war-like conditions in the former Yugoslavia. He earned the nickname "The Sheriff of Vareš" when he served as battalion commander for BA01 within the UN force Nordbat 2 in Bosnia.
During this year's Veterans Day on May 29, veterans who made contributions in the Balkans from 1991-2000 were particularly recognised.
Business Area Manager Thomas Sjöström received the Royal Order of Vasa, Knight, for great personal courage during the Swedish evacuation from Kabul. At the time of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, Thomas Sjöström was the security chief in Afghanistan for the security company Vesper, which was tasked by the government to manage Sweden's evacuation from the city.