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Security will be tight during both visits, but the itineraries will vary dramatically. King Carl Gustav XVI has made a special request to visit Australia’s famed Barossa Valley wine region. The royal couple will be flanked by both Swedish and Australian security and an entourage of 15 people including a coterie of minders, the Swedish Ambassador to Australia and the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs. They will arrive by their own charter plane and possibly stay at the Hyatt hotel. It will be the first royal visit to SA since the Queen (of Great Britain) came to Adelaide briefly following the 2002 state election.
Much of the morning will be reserved for official visits to schools, companies and organizations, leaving the afternoon free for wine tasting and a tour of the environmental practices at the Yalumba Wine Company, Angaston as well as a wine-blending laboratory, Heggies Vineyards and Moppa Winery. Sweden is major importer of South Australian wine and the Royals will also visit the National Wine Centre, where they will view a photographic art exhibition based on the sexuality of plants.
Barossa Council mayor Brian Hurn who was not aware of the royal visit, said the news was “marvellous” for the region. “They will be able to go home to Sweden and extol the virtues of the Barossa,” he said. “They will certainly receive the good Barossa hospitality. I think there will be some excitement when people hear”. Mr Hurn hosted a dinner for the Queen during her visit in 2002 and recalled locals lining the streets of Tununda and Nuriootpa to catch a glimpse. While South Australians are not as familiar with Swedish royalty, he expected locals to be curious once news of the visit filtered through.
National Wine Centre banquet and event co-ordinator Carly Thomas said there was a buzz of excitement among the staff who new about it. “People are wanting to work here on the day,” she said. “Its pretty full on making sure everything is in its place. Its still in the planning process”. The Barossa Wine & Tourism Association was not informed of the tour, but many high-profile visits were kept under wraps.
In the evening the royals will be guests of honour at a State Dinner at the Hyatt hosted by Mr Rann and his fiancé, Sasha Carruzzo, feasting on a menu strongly featuring South Australian wine and cuisine. Mr Rann said the government was keen for the Swedish royals to visit as South Australia had strong links with the country, including the Collins Class submarines and SAAB systems.” … “Another strong link has been through our wine industry. In the mid-1980s, the Australian wine export success started in Sweden, and not in the UK as many believe".
The rest of the article was about the royal from the UAE.
