ABBA Reunited in Sweden for a Very Prestigious Honor

Lauren Novak May 31, 2024

Swedish pop group ABBA give the thumbs up after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with their song 'Waterloo', Brighton, 7th April 1974. Left to right: Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson — Steve Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA received a very high honor in their home country of Sweden. The members of the pop group were awarded the Royal Order of Vasa as “Commander of the First Class” for “very outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music life.” It was a very special day not only for ABBA but for the country as it was the first time in 50 years that the first Order of Vasa was given.

ABBA, best known for hit songs “Mamma Mia!” and “Dancing Queen,” rose to fame as the winner of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Waterloo,” becoming Sweden’s first winner. In 2005, “Waterloo” was chosen as the best song in the competition’s history, cementing the group as one of the most influential in its history.

The music group ABBA, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson pose for a photo after the received the Royal Vasa Order from Sweden's King and Queen during a ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on May 31, 2024 for outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music life

HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

Earlier this year, the public and Swedish government nominated candidates and King Carl XVI Gustaf approved ABBA for the honor, along with 12 other “exceptional Swedes.” They came together to receive the honor at a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Not only are they celebrating this honor but also the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision win. While they no longer perform live, ABBA has created a successful stage show called ABBA Voyage with lifelike augmented reality versions of themselves who perform their greatest hits.

The music group ABBA with Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog and Benny Andersson are given the Royal Vasa Order from Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (L) and Queen Silvia of Sweden (2nd L) during a ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on May 31, 2024 for outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music life

HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

Along with the newer show, ABBA released a comeback album called Voyage in 2021. While it has been decades since ABBA performed live together, it seems like they are not done celebrating their influential music.