ABBA star Agnetha opens up on UK fan gift worn for huge event
EXCLUSIVE: ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog gave one fan a huge surprise when she wore their gift to receive the Royal Order of Vasa earlier this year.
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ABBA fans were thrilled when the group reunited last May to receive the Royal Order of Vasa, Sweden's equivilant of a Knighthood, from King Carl XVI Gustaf for “outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music”.
However no fan was more thrilled than Swansea resident Alison Flowerpot Griffiths as she realised that Agnetha Fältskog was wearing a hand made piece of jewellery she had sent her as a gift.
Contacted by Express.co.uk about her decision to wear the necklace the famously private Agnetha sent a response through Görel Hanser who looks after many of ABBA's affairs.
"Agnetha liked the necklace and thought it was right for the occasion. She sends her best regards and thanks," she wrote.
Gorel also played a key role in getting the piece to Agnetha. Speaking exclusively Alison, who admits she was "speechless" when she realised Agnetha wore her creation, reavealed Gorel had contacted her to pay customs charges on the parcel.
Since Brexit passed parcels from the UK to the EU incur an additional customs charge and vice versa
"I knew they had received it because obviously I sent it from the UK so there were customs charges due. I had set the parcel to the studio and Gorel contacted me about the charges and I paid them so they would release the parcel to her."
Alison, who legally added the Flowerpot to her name in honour of her father, also sent some of her handmade pieces for the other band members Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Björn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid later wrote to her expressing her thanks.
Despite this she had no idea Agnetha was planning to wear her piece to such a prestigous occassion."I was absolutely speechless. I couldn't believe it," she exclaimed.
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The ceremony marked the first time in almost 50 years that Swedish citizens had been given the royal order after Sweden stopped awarding them to citizens in 1975. The country’s parliament reinstated the practice in 2022.
This meant that there was huge international interest in the event ensuring Alison's work was seen by millions of people worldwide.
Alison says she began making jewellery to help her with her mental health. She is not a professional although she dabbled in selling some pieces on Etsy.
She has also sent jewellery to a few other of her favourite celebrities. Both Jay Aston and Cheryl Baker from The Fizz have worn her gifts. Meanwhile Vic Reeves wife Nancy Sorrell has messaged her to express how much she liked the jewellery Alison sent her.
Admitting that Agnetha's approval has given her a boost Alison now hopes to be able to set up a proper business to sell her work.
