Over the years, many celebrities have visited and stayed at the Mission Inn. One hundred years ago, in July 1926, royalty stopped in for a quick visit with Frank Miller. Crown Prince Gustavus Adolphus and Princess Louise of Sweden undertook a world tour to promote Sweden. The couple set sail from Stockholm in the middle of May on board the Gripsholm bound for New York.
From New York, the Prince and Princess traveled to Washington, D.C., for the dedication of the John Ericsson monument. Ericsson, a Swedish-born engineer, invented the screw propeller for ships and designed the plans for the iron-clad USS Monitor.
With official duties in Washington finished, the royal pair embarked on a cross-country trip via private Pullman cars. After days of traveling and sightseeing, the party arrived in California. Here, the prince took the time to greet the engineer of the Santa Fe engine pulling his train consist of cars and to ask his name. When the engineer replied that his name was Julius Jensen, the prince exclaimed: "Oh, another Swede!" After shaking the man's hand, he climbed up into the engine cab for a photo.
Upon the Swedish entourage's arrival in California, the California Fruit Growers Exchange greeted them and gave them a tour of various orange groves. The prince, his wife, and the rest of his party disembarked from the train in San Bernardino on July 21, 1926. Traveling by automobile, they toured citrus groves in Redlands and then proceeded to Riverside.
In Riverside, the royal party was welcomed to the Mission Inn by Frank Miller. They were escorted to the Presidential Suite, where they had an opportunity to freshen up before being led across the lobby to the Cloister Music Hall for a short concert of Swedish music. Highlighting the music were selections sung in Swedish by Miss Elsie Younggren, the young Mission Inn soloist. One number she sang was "Glad Season Fagelin in Morgonstunden" (Joyful as the Bird in the Morning House). The song had been composed by the prince's father, King Gustavus V. Miss Younggren was presented to the prince after her performance, and he complimented her on her beautiful voice.
Following the concert, California Governor Friend W. Robinson and C. C. Teague, president of the California Fruit Growers Exchange, escorted the royal couple and their party through the Spanish Art Gallery to the Spanish Patio where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared. Over the table hung the Swedish Coat of Arms flanked by two Swedish flags. Seated at the head table were Prince Eric of Denmark, Miss de Routersward, lady-in-waiting to the crown princess, Henry Robinson, Crown Princess Louise of Sweden, C. C. Teague, Crown Prince Gustavus Adolphus, Governor Friend Robinson, Princess Louise of Denmark, Wollmar Boström, Swedish Minister at Washington, and Mrs. Robinson, wife of the Governor.
At the banquet, Prince Gustavus Adolphus spoke to the assembly. Among his words, he declared:
There is an old saying in our country, which I think you all know, something to the effect that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I don't know if it applies to oranges or not, but I am quite sure that it should, even if it does not. And if it does, California is one of the luckiest countries in all the world, as you have enough oranges here to keep all the doctors away.
He also thanked Frank Miller for hosting the banquet and Governor Robinson and C. C. Teague for escorting him during this part of his trip. Leaving Riverside, the party proceeded to Los Angeles, where Henry Huntington hosted them.
The Mission Inn has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities over the years, but there might not have been any more gracious, humble, and distinctive than Crown Prince Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.
