America News Agency

The group, consisting of Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Björn Ulvaeus, was awarded the Royal Order of Vasa for “outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music” in a rare reunion in Stockholm.

Sweden stopped awarding royal honours to its citizens in 1975 but continued to grant them to foreigners. However, the country's parliament reintroduced the practice in 2022, and Friday's ceremony marked the first time in half a century that the order has been awarded to Swedes.

The group, who divorced twice after their union, reunited to receive their engagement. Agnetha was married to Björn, and Benny was married to Anni-Frid. Both couples separated at the height of their fame.

Abba is still one of the biggest pop bands in the world, even though they haven't performed live since their appearance on Noel Edmonds' The Late, Late Breakfast Show on the BBC in 1982.

Already a star in Sweden before joining the band, Fältskog had a successful solo career after the split. Still, the band's original hits were never truly lost and have become cornerstones of pop culture for decades.

Having sold over 400 million albums and singles and become the first Swedes to triumph at Eurovision, their digital version, “Abbatars”, is playing to sell-out crowds in London as part of Abba Voyage.

Held in a purpose-built venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London, the show took seven years and $175 million to develop, with more than 1 million people buying tickets since its launch.

Abba's popularity was revitalized by the musical Mamma Mia! and its subsequent movie adaptation, which introduced the band's music to a new generation.

The Abba name is still a huge draw, and in January this year, Andersson and Ulvaeus shared a dividend of nearly £1 million following an increase in profits for the production company behind the Mamma Mia! stage musical and film adaptations.