Winners take it all: Abba members get royal honours

The music group Abba with Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson receive the Royal Vasa Order from Sweden's King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia at a ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on Friday May 31 for outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music life. Photo: AP

Sweden's king handed royal orders to the members of iconic pop group Abba on May 31, 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.