Memorandum by T L Johnston (HON 9)
I am prompted to write to you after reading
the enclosed piece in the FT. In that you are quoted as intending
to look at the Honours systems of other countries. May I suggest
that you have a look at Sweden as one of your list.
I learned nearly 20 years ago, when I was appointed
a Commander of the Royal Swedish Order of the Polar Star, that
the Swedes had abandoned their domestic system, but they had retained
it for foreigners. In part, their reason for doing so was to make
it possible for them to return to domestic honours should they
ever wish to do so. It seemed a typically pragmatic Swedish approach!
I recall also that I was not asked in advance
whether I was interested in an Honour, but simply received a letter
of appointment.
No doubt the staff of the Swedish Embassy in
London will be able to give you a greater in-depth explanation
of past and present in Swedish Honours than I can.
January 2004
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