Flag of NATO’s 32nd member, Sweden, raised at alliance’s headquarters

The Swedish national flag was raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 11 March. The country has officially become the 32nd member of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess Victoria and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg looked on as two soldiers raised the blue banner emblazoned with a yellow cross among the official circle of national flags at the headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
“The Russian, brutal, full-scale invasion against Ukraine united Sweden behind the conclusion that a full-fledged NATO membership is the only reasonable choice,” Kristersson said. Swedish government ministers and party leaders from across the political spectrum attended in a show.
As the flag was raised, a military band played the Swedish national anthem.
"After over 200 years of neutrality, you are joining the strongest and most successful military alliance in history. Welcome to NATO, we are glad to have you here," Stoltenberg said during the ceremony.
For his part, Kristersson stated that "Sweden has come home".
"Sweden is a proud member and ally of NATO, alongside our closest friends and partners. We are humble, but we are also proud. We know the expectations for Sweden are high, but we also have high expectations for ourselves," he noted.