ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus looks cheery as he joins bandmate Benny Andersson to receive music award in Stockholm - as star is seen for the first time since splitting from wife Lena Kallersjö
ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, 76, and Benny Andersson, 75, took to the stage in Stockholm on Wednesday to receive the country's highest music award.
The duo beamed as they received the Government's Music Export Prize 2021 from the country's Minister of Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg- marking Bjorn's first public event since he announced the split from his wife of 43-years Lena Kallersjö last month.
The Waterloo hit-makers, who attended without fellow bandmates Agnetha Fältskog, 71 and Anni-Frid Lyngstad 76, were presented with a plaque and a large bouquet of at the large ceremony.
Happy chaps: Abba's Björn Ulvaeus, 76, (left) and Benny Andersson, 75, took to the stage in Stockholm on Wednesday to receive the country's highest music award
Björn looked smart in a suit with slate buttons, which he wore over a navy and white printed shirt.
Opting for a more casual look he wore the shirt open at the neck along with a pair of distinct spectacles.
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Benny wore an indigo blazer jacket over a navy waist coat with white buttons and a crisp white shirt.
The pair sat in the audience before taking to the stage to rapturous applause, Benny even took to the piano to play one of the group's famous hits.
OVER! The event marked the first time Björn had been seen since splitting from wife of 41 years Lena last month (Pictured together in September 2021)
Waterloo: The duo beamed as they received the 'Governments Music Export Prize 2021' from the country's Minister of Foreign Trade
Congratulations: The Waterloo hit-makers were presented with a plaque and a large bouquet of at the large ceremony (pictured with foreign minister Anna Hallberg)
Smart guys: Björn looked smart in a suit with slate buttons, which he wore of a navy and white printed shirt
Superstar: The pair sat in the audience before taking to the stage to rapturous applause, Benny even took to the piano to play one of the groups famous hits on
Stage: The pair sat in the audience before taking to the stage to rapturous applause, Benny even took to the piano to play one of the groups famous hits
Piano man: Benny wore an indigo blazer jacket over a navy waist coat with white buttons and a crisp white shirt
Bjorn and his wife, who share daughters Emma, 40, and Anna, 35, announced they had ended their marriage last month, however, the pair have vowed to 'remain close friends'. Even continuing to enjoy family holidays together in the wake of their separation.
In a statement provided to HuffPost UK, the estranged couple shared: 'After many wonderful and eventful years, we have decided to go our separate ways.
'We remain close friends and will continue to celebrate our grandchildren's birthdays and other family holidays together.
Missing: The pair accepted the award without fellow band mates Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (pictured in 1976)
The shock announcement came after the ABBA star claimed he was having sex 'four times a week' with Lena.
But Björn hinted the pair clashed while quarantining in Sweden during a rare insight into their marriage, which included his boast about his sexual prowess.
Speaking to The Guardian he was asked 'how often he has sex?', the Swede responded: 'I'm 75 and I can't manage more than four times a week.'
But when quizzed on his 'most annoying habit', Björn replied: 'If you ask my wife, it would probably be my habit of walking around in a bathrobe all day long during our corona self-isolation.'
Back in September ABBA released their first new music in 40 years.
The quartet also released Don't Shut Me Down and I Still Have Faith In You, the first two singles from their new album, Voyage.
Björn and Benny made the 'historic' announcement in London and unveiled the first look at the Voyage digital concert, which will see extraordinarily detailed holograms, based on movements recorded by the band, take to the stage to perform their hits. Anni-Frid and Agnetha, their ex-wives, watched from Sweden.
The news was met with excitement from fans across the world who said the band were 'back to their best' and had 'swooped in' to rescue them after a difficult 18 months.
The show will come 50 years after the founding of the group that consisted of two married couples for most of its existence, and whose name is an acronym of the first names of its members.
Their music has remained ubiquitous in the decades since their breakup, in part because of the stage musical 'Mamma Mia!' and the two films that followed it.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
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