Sweden's king on Friday handed royal orders to the members of iconic pop group ABBA, marking the first time in 50 years the honours have been awarded in the Nordic country.

At a ceremony at the royal palace in Stockholm, King Carl XVI Gustaf presented the Royal Order of Vasa to Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Reuss and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who made a rare public appearance together.

Known for disco hits like "Mamma Mia" (1975), "Dancing Queen" (1976), and "The Winner Takes It All" (1980), the four were honoured for "outstanding achievements in Swedish and international music."

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How marvellous 
 
Back together again 
 
Today, in Stockholm <a href="https://twitter.com/ABBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abba</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ABBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/985tR37Tj6">pic.twitter.com/985tR37Tj6</a>
— Malcolm Prince (@malprin) <a href="https://twitter.com/malprin/status/1796535064773414941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Sweden stopped awarding royal orders to its own citizens in 1975, as the practice was deemed anachronistic.

The country continued to award royal orders to foreign citizens.

However, the country's parliament reinstated the practice in 2022 and Friday's ceremony marked the first time the orders were awarded to Swedes in half a century.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA's 1974 Eurovision Song Contest win with "Waterloo", which launched the group's international breakthrough.

With their unique style and catchy melodies, the group personified disco around the globe until they stopped performing in 1982.

ABBA's popularity was rekindled by the "Mamma Mia" films, which introduced the group's music to new generations.

The quartet has also returned to the stage through ABBA Voyage, a new album released in 2021, and a permanent show of the same name in London in which they are represented by digital avatars (holograms).

In total, 13 Swedes were honoured for their achievements at the ceremony, including two Nobel Prize winners: geneticist Svante Paabo and French-Swedish physicist Anne L'Huillier.

Sweden's king on Friday handed royal orders to the members of iconic pop group ABBA, marking the first time in 50 years the honours have been awarded in the Nordic country.

Sweden's king on Friday handed royal orders to the members of iconic pop group ABBA, marking the first time in 50 years the honours have been awarded in the Nordic country. At a ceremony at the royal palace in Stockholm, King Carl XVI Gustaf presented the Royal Order of Vasa to Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Reuss and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who made a rare public appearance together. Known for disco hits like "Mamma Mia" (1975), "Dancing Queen" (1976), and "The Winner Takes It All" (1980), the four were honoured for "outstanding achievements in Swedish and international music." How marvellous Back together again Today, in Stockholm @abba #ABBA pic.twitter.com/985tR37Tj6 — Malcolm Prince (@malprin) May 31, 2024 × Sweden stopped awarding royal orders to its own citizens in 1975, as the practice was deemed anachronistic. The country continued to award royal orders to foreign citizens. However, the country's parliament reinstated the practice in 2022 and Friday's ceremony marked the first time the orders were awarded to Swedes in half a century. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA's 1974 Eurovision Song Contest win with "Waterloo", which launched the group's international breakthrough. With their unique style and catchy melodies, the group personified disco around the globe until they stopped performing in 1982. ABBA's popularity was rekindled by the "Mamma Mia" films, which introduced the group's music to new generations. The quartet has also returned to the stage through ABBA Voyage, a new album released in 2021, and a permanent show of the same name in London in which they are represented by digital avatars (holograms). In total, 13 Swedes were honoured for their achievements at the ceremony, including two Nobel Prize winners: geneticist Svante Paabo and French-Swedish physicist Anne L'Huillier.

The winners take it all: ABBA members get royal honours

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-after-40-years-abba-takes-a-chance-with-its-legacy-424813">ABBA's first studio </a>album in nearly 40 years has made it to the top of the UK charts, becoming the fastest seller of the year so far, the Official Charts Company said on Friday.

'Voyage'&nbsp;by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/here-they-go-again-abba-reunite-for-first-new-album-in-40-years-410332">Swedish quartet</a> of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid racked up 204,000 chart sales in the seven days since it was launched last Friday.

Sales gave the supergroup the biggest opening week on the UK album chart in four years since Ed Sheeran's 'Divide', and the fastest-selling album by a group in eight years.

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The last fastest-seller was One Direction's 'Midnight Memories'&nbsp;in November 2013. ABBA, propelled to global fame by their 1974 Eurovision Song Contest win with 'Waterloo', split in 1982, a year after their last album, 'The Visitors'.

'Voyage'&nbsp;is their 10th number one album in the UK: only seven other acts -- The Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie -- have had more.

The group said in a statement: "We are so happy that our fans seem to have enjoyed our new album as much as we enjoyed making it.

"We are absolutely over the moon to have an album at the top of the charts again." The 204,000 sales comprise 90 per cent physical copies, including 29,900 on vinyl, making it the fastest-selling vinyl release of the 21st century.

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The previous record-holder was the Arctic Monkeys' 'Tranquility Base Hotel &amp; Casino', which sold 24,500 vinyl copies in 2018.

ABBA's first studio album in nearly 40 years has made it to the top of the UK charts, becoming the fastest seller of the year so far, the Official Charts Company said on Friday.

ABBA's first studio album in nearly 40 years has made it to the top of the UK charts, becoming the fastest seller of the year so far, the Official Charts Company said on Friday. 'Voyage' by the Swedish quartet of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid racked up 204,000 chart sales in the seven days since it was launched last Friday. Sales gave the supergroup the biggest opening week on the UK album chart in four years since Ed Sheeran's 'Divide', and the fastest-selling album by a group in eight years. First teaser of 'Sex & The City' sequel series 'And Just Like That' is here, release date revealed The last fastest-seller was One Direction's 'Midnight Memories' in November 2013. ABBA, propelled to global fame by their 1974 Eurovision Song Contest win with 'Waterloo', split in 1982, a year after their last album, 'The Visitors'. 'Voyage' is their 10th number one album in the UK: only seven other acts -- The Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie -- have had more. The group said in a statement: "We are so happy that our fans seem to have enjoyed our new album as much as we enjoyed making it. "We are absolutely over the moon to have an album at the top of the charts again." The 204,000 sales comprise 90 per cent physical copies, including 29,900 on vinyl, making it the fastest-selling vinyl release of the 21st century. Adele, Kanye West & others: Musicians who have/will release studio albums in 2021 The previous record-holder was the Arctic Monkeys' 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino', which sold 24,500 vinyl copies in 2018.

Swedish pop group ABBA tops UK chart with first studio album since 1981

After a hiatus of over four decades, Swedish music band ABBA is all set to release its comeback album on November 5.&nbsp;

 
The excitement among <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/here-they-go-again-abba-reunite-for-first-new-album-in-40-years-410332">ABBA</a> loyalists is palpable to the extent that the first two songs that the band has released from their impending album 'Voyage', have gone on to top music-streaming charts the world over.&nbsp;

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Titled 'I Still Have Faith In You' and 'Don't Shut Me Down', these songs have garnered millions of views and are trending in 12 countries on video-streaming platform YouTube's ranking list, reports confirm.&nbsp;

 
Simultaneously, ABBA have gathered over 991,000 followers and 5.5 likes on TikTok after joining the video-streaming only on September 1.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-big-bang-theory-actor-kaley-cuoco-splits-from-husband-karl-cook-410615">'Big Bang Theory' actor Kaley Cuoco splits from husband Karl Cook</a>

 
While music streamer Spotify has not shared its numbers pertaining to the singles yet, it has reportedly shared data that the band was mostly being streamed by people between 18-24 YOs.

 
As per reports, 'Dancing Queen' is the most popular track on the platform, the data reportedly showed.

After a hiatus of over four decades, Swedish music band ABBA is all set to release its comeback album on November 5. The excitement among ABBA loyalists is palpable to the extent that the first two songs that the band has released from their impending album 'Voyage', have gone on to top music-streaming charts the world over.

After a hiatus of over four decades, Swedish music band ABBA is all set to release its comeback album on November 5. The excitement among ABBA loyalists is palpable to the extent that the first two songs that the band has released from their impending album 'Voyage', have gone on to top music-streaming charts the world over. Also read: Kangana Ranaut pays homage at the J Jayalalithaa memorial in Marina beach Titled 'I Still Have Faith In You' and 'Don't Shut Me Down', these songs have garnered millions of views and are trending in 12 countries on video-streaming platform YouTube's ranking list, reports confirm. Simultaneously, ABBA have gathered over 991,000 followers and 5.5 likes on TikTok after joining the video-streaming only on September 1. Also read: 'Big Bang Theory' actor Kaley Cuoco splits from husband Karl Cook While music streamer Spotify has not shared its numbers pertaining to the singles yet, it has reportedly shared data that the band was mostly being streamed by people between 18-24 YOs. As per reports, 'Dancing Queen' is the most popular track on the platform, the data reportedly showed.

ABBA releases two singles from comeback album, top global charts

Swedish supergroup ABBA announced their first new album in four decades on Thursday and said they would stage a series of virtual concerts using digital avatars of themselves in London next year. 
 
Fans piled online to celebrate the long-awaited reunion of one of the world`s most successful bands. "2021 has been saved by new ABBA music," @elliemiles23 said in one widely shared Twitter post. 
 
The album "Voyage" will come out on Nov. 5, the band said during the streamed launch. They released two of its 10 songs - "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Don`t Shut Me Down" - on Thursday. 
 
"First it was just two songs," songwriter Benny Andersson said in a pre-recorded video message.

"Then we said `maybe we should do, I don`t know, a few others. What do you say girls?` And they said `yeah`and then I asked `why don`t we do a full album?`" 
 
The recording went smoothly, co-songwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus said. "It all came rushing back in a matter of seconds." 
"I knew when Benny played the melody it just had to be about us," he added about "I Still Have Faith In You". The new album will also include a Christmas song "Little Things". 
 
'ABBATARS' 
 
The concerts will be held at a purpose-built ABBA Arena in London`s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in May, and feature digital versions of its four stars Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. 
The "abbatars" were created using motion capture technology - similar to that used to create Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" movies series - and will show members of the band as they looked in 1979. 
 
"The only big problem was that we had to shave our beards," Andersson said. 
 
The concerts will feature 22 songs, including the two new numbers and a "sort of a greatest hits" compilation, including "Dancing Queen", he added. 
 
Ulvaeus said ABBA had chosen London because the group felt welcome there.

"Somehow, we have always felt that the Brits see us as their own - it feels like that when we come here every time," he said. 
 
Faltskog and Lyngstad did not speak during the streamed launch. 
 
In a statement, Faltskog said she had not known what to expect when they got back together to record. "But Benny’s recording studio is such a friendly and safe environment, and before I knew it I was really enjoying myself." 
 
ABBA was founded in the early 70s by then couples Agnetha and Bjorn, together with Benny and Anni-Frid. Their initials gave the band its name. 
 
They sold more than 385 million albums and topped charts from Australia to America with a string of hits including "Waterloo", "The Winner Takes It All" and "Take A Chance On Me". 
 
Their last album with fresh material, 1981`s "The Visitors", included songs tinged with the sadness of their divorces. The band split a year later. 
 
Rumours swirled for years that ABBA would get back together, but the members turned down many offers, including one reported $1 billion package to tour again. 
&nbsp;

Swedish supergroup ABBA announced their first new album in four decades on Thursday and said they would stage a series of virtual concerts using digital avatars of themselves in London next year.

Swedish supergroup ABBA announced their first new album in four decades on Thursday and said they would stage a series of virtual concerts using digital avatars of themselves in London next year. Fans piled online to celebrate the long-awaited reunion of one of the world`s most successful bands. "2021 has been saved by new ABBA music," @elliemiles23 said in one widely shared Twitter post. The album "Voyage" will come out on Nov. 5, the band said during the streamed launch. They released two of its 10 songs - "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Don`t Shut Me Down" - on Thursday. "First it was just two songs," songwriter Benny Andersson said in a pre-recorded video message. "Then we said `maybe we should do, I don`t know, a few others. What do you say girls?` And they said `yeah`and then I asked `why don`t we do a full album?`" The recording went smoothly, co-songwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus said. "It all came rushing back in a matter of seconds." "I knew when Benny played the melody it just had to be about us," he added about "I Still Have Faith In You". The new album will also include a Christmas song "Little Things". 'ABBATARS' The concerts will be held at a purpose-built ABBA Arena in London`s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in May, and feature digital versions of its four stars Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The "abbatars" were created using motion capture technology - similar to that used to create Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" movies series - and will show members of the band as they looked in 1979. "The only big problem was that we had to shave our beards," Andersson said. The concerts will feature 22 songs, including the two new numbers and a "sort of a greatest hits" compilation, including "Dancing Queen", he added. Ulvaeus said ABBA had chosen London because the group felt welcome there. "Somehow, we have always felt that the Brits see us as their own - it feels like that when we come here every time," he said. Faltskog and Lyngstad did not speak during the streamed launch. In a statement, Faltskog said she had not known what to expect when they got back together to record. "But Benny’s recording studio is such a friendly and safe environment, and before I knew it I was really enjoying myself." ABBA was founded in the early 70s by then couples Agnetha and Bjorn, together with Benny and Anni-Frid. Their initials gave the band its name. They sold more than 385 million albums and topped charts from Australia to America with a string of hits including "Waterloo", "The Winner Takes It All" and "Take A Chance On Me". Their last album with fresh material, 1981`s "The Visitors", included songs tinged with the sadness of their divorces. The band split a year later. Rumours swirled for years that ABBA would get back together, but the members turned down many offers, including one reported $1 billion package to tour again.

Here they go again - ABBA reunite for first new album in 40 years