Nordic royals visit for embassy anniversary in Berlin

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  King Frederik X of Denmark smiles next to Queen Mary of Denmark during a celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassy at the Tiergarten.

• Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria.

• The Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend a celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies.

• Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, speaks during a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies at the Tiergarten.

• Halla Tómasdóttir, President of the Republic of Iceland, speaks during a celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies at the Tiergarten.

• Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (l) and Denmark's King Frederik X walk off the guard of honor during the military honours at Bellevue Palace.

A royal visit, a good mood and a musical surprise: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland celebrate the opening of their joint embassy complex in Berlin 25 years ago.

This globally unique cooperation - the five embassies share a common area where each country has its own embassy - is exemplary, said Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in his speech to mark the anniversary. In the morning, Steinmeier had received the Danish King Frederik X and his wife Queen Mary with military honors. Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel as well as Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit also came to Berlin for the anniversary.

In the Nordic Embassies, people don't just share the "fika", said Steinmeier - that's what the coffee break is called in Swedish. "They were already a coworking space long before the concept was invented." Steinmeier mentioned that the shared canteen, which is also open to the public, is in his view one of the best in Berlin. Germany is the proud host of this innovative and open way of working, which is emblematic of how European cooperation should be.

"Every man for himself and yet together" was the motto that the then Danish Queen Margrethe II proclaimed at the inauguration of the joint embassy complex on October 20, 1999. The embassies share an inner courtyard and the Felleshus, a cultural and event venue whose name comes from "felles", which means "together" in Norwegian and Danish.

The five countries are closely linked politically, economically and culturally. The shared vision of becoming the most sustainable and best-integrated region in the world by 2030 was set out years ago. Today, they continue to emphasize common goals such as stable and sustainable growth, respect for human rights and democratic values.

Berlin's Senator for Culture and former music manager Joe Chialo also emphasized that the Nordic countries are appreciated in Germany not least because of their music. The gift from the city of Berlin: a performance by the jazz band Moka Efti Orchestra, who played the theme song from the hit series Babylon Berlin ("Zu Asche, zu Staub") and encouraged the 200 or so invited guests from politics, business and culture to clap along - standing up was not allowed.