Now, the P. R. Royal Couple

In his "one-class" Socialist country, in which he has been stripped of all real power and even subjected to the levies of the taxman, Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf last week was regaled with one of the few remaining circumstances still entitled to royal pomp: his wedding. Indeed, with its processions, ceremonies and feasts, last Saturday's nuptials more than lived up to its advance billing as the royal spectacular of the year.

Assembled in Stockholm's hauntingly Gothic cathedral were four reigning monarchs (Belgium's King Baudouin, Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Jean and Norway's King Olav V), ex-King Constantine of Greece and ex-Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria, eight princes, ten princesses and other assorted nobility.

At the stroke of noon, the curly-haired 30-year-old King Carl XVI Gustaf took the arm of his 32-year-old bride -Commoner Silvia Sommerlath, the vivacious daughter of a West German businessman. Then they began the long walk to the ebony and gold altar. Their vows were identical to those exchanged by all Swedes marrying in the state Lutheran Church. Flanking the altar upon cushioned taborets were two gold, jewel-encrusted crowns, which they will never put upon their royal heads. Reason: Carl Gustaf's countrymen would deem that unsuitably undemocratic.

Following the recessional, a horse-drawn landau elegantly carried the newlyweds through the capital's spotless streets and over flag-draped bridges as some 20 bands filled the air with rousing marches, folk songs and bagpipe tunes. Lining the route were enthusiastic, cheering crowds and honor guards from more than 60 military, civic and private organizations. The long gondolalike Royal Barge, manned by 18 oarsmen in blue Navy dress, took the couple across the Strommen to a lavish luncheon for 300 relatives, friends and official guests at the 680-room Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace). Afterward, the King and his new Queen headed for two weeks in seclusion to begin their honeymoon. (To newsmen earlier in the week, Carl Gustaf had quipped: "That's enough time, isn't it?")

Queenly Hostess. An estimated 500 million viewers around the globe watched telecasts of the festivities, giving the event a public relations value that delighted even the most republican of Swedes. To them, the wedding was a means of reminding the world of the existence and efficiency of Sverige AB (Sweden Inc.). In fact, Sweden's press long has proclaimed Carl Gustaf the "country's No. 1 p.r. man." The new Queen is almost sure to earn a similar encomium. She is witty and conversant in six languages (including recently acquired Swedish). She has become very popular since her engagement to Carl Gustaf last March, after a courtship that began at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, where she was chief hostess for top VIPS -one of whom was the young Swedish crown prince.

After the honeymoon, the King will resume his hectic round of ceremonial duties. He and Silvia, however, will have to find some time to inspect the more than 1,500 wedding gifts they have received (including a modern sculpture from President Ford and a rocking chair for two from Finland's President). They must also face the task of providing an heir to the throne; under the constitution, female succession is banned and, except for a 63-year-old uncle, Carl Gustaf is the last male of the royal line.

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