The four members of ABBA have been honoured with one of their country’s most prestigious orders for their contributions to music.

For the first time in almost 50 years, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf handed out the Royal Order of Vasa.

Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad became “Commanders of the First Class” of the order for “very outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music life”.

Sweden has several orders, including the Royal Order of Seraphim, which is awarded to heads of state and foreign royals, and the Royal Order of the Polar Star, which is given to foreign citizens and stateless persons.