REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- Visiting royalty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden planted an "ulin" tree in the backyard of Bogor State Palace, Monday.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received the king and Princess Silvia at the palace, marking the first such visit from Sweden after 65 years of bilateral relations.

King Carl planted the tree, along with President Jokowi, with First Lady Iriana and Princess Silvia accompanying them.

The endemic tree of Indonesia is also called "iron wood" because of its strength.

"This is the strongest wood. This was done to make our relations as strong as the wood," Jokowi explained.

King Carl, as well as President Jokowi, are known to have common interest in the environment.

Also read: President Jokowi awards highest medal to Swedish King

In view of that, after planting the tree, President Jokowi invited the king to tour the Bogor Botanical Garden, which is located adjacent to the palace.

After the tour, the two held a verandah talk while watching the "Hand of God" statue, made by Swedish sculptor, in the backyard of the palace.

At 11.30am, the Swedish king's delegation entered the palace, welcomed by music corps and students from Bogor wearing the various traditional costumes from across the country.

Other students were seen welcoming the king along the road to the main gate and to the palace.

A 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the king. 

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