Stockholm with Michael Portillo

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Summary

Michael spends a midwinter weekend in the Swedish capital, braving the icy waters of the Baltic Sea and helping prepare the Royal Palace for a state visit by France's president Emmanuel Macron. Michael helps a group of ice divers trawling the city's seabed for rubbish and visits Stockholm Cathedral, where he's finds an unforgettable 15th-century sculpture of St George and the Dragon

Review

Jane Rackham

Sporting a lemon-yellow beanie hat, scarf and gloves, Michael Portillo admits his preconception of Stockholm is that “it’s the land of Abba, smorgasbord and flat pack furniture”. He’s not disabused of that notion when he has a dish familiar to Ikea shoppers — meatballs.

His trip to the royal palace’s grand banqueting hall couldn’t be more different, while he also braves the partially frozen waters of the Baltic, gets swept up in the excitement of a game of bandy (it’s like ice hockey) and “shivers his timbers” over a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage. It’s an exhilarating yet chilled weekend.

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rolenameSeries producerMark LeslieSeries producerRory DalzielSeries directorDave MinchinExecutive producerCharlie Bunce

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