The Day Sweden Almost Became a Republic

Some years ago (I could probably tell you how many years if I counted, but then I'd be depressed and stop writing) I did my military service in the forest around the Swedish town of Luleå. For one week we were gonna be main guards at two of the royal castles in Stockholm. One castle is in Old Town and is more or less a tourist attraction nowadays. The other one is on an island called Drottningholm and is the residence of the royal family. I was was ordered to be at the last one. One evening I was guarding the entrance the royal familys personal habitation when a car came driving and stoped about 25 meters (~80 feet) from me. Out of the car came a young girl. She started to walk towards me, straight towards me. Our orders were to keep people away from the gate. No one besides the royal family, who always came driving by in 150km/h (~93 mph) were allowed in, if they didn't have an invitation. As this girl moves towards me, and not my co-guard who had list of people allowed, I started thinking about what I should do if she comes too close. My automatic rifle had a bayonet mounted on it, mostly for show but still sharp and shiny. I remember thinking "stop, stop, stop, stooop" And just as I was gonna raise my hand as a stop sign, and yell "HOLD" I saw our second lieutenant walking up from the right side. He saluted the girl and said "Good evening, princess!". I wonder what would have happend if he wouldn't have been there to save my ass. I bet she still would remember me though...

The Princess