King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visit memorial to victims of 'worst mass shooting in Swedish history'
Sweden's King and Queen have visited a memorial near a school campus where 11 people were killed in a mass shooting on Tuesday.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia were visibly moved by the large display of flowers and cards left following the attack at the Campus Risbergska adult training school in Orebro, about 200 kilometres west of Stockholm.
The Queen, 81, carried a large bouquet of white roses and was seen wiping away tears as she and the King, 78, paused to pay their respects.
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Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited a memorial near the scene of a shooting on the outskirts of Orebro, Sweden on February 5. AP
The tragedy has been described by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as the "worst mass shooting in Swedish history".
At least 10 people were killed, along with the gunman.
The attack seriously wounded at least five people and horrified the Scandinavian nation where gun violence at schools is very rare.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paused to remember those affected by the shooting on Tuesday. AP
Speaking to the media at the memorial, the King said: "The Queen and I are shocked."
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"It's something you wouldn't think would happen in Sweden," King Carl XVI continued.
"But now we're standing here at Rigberska School in Örebro in the middle of Sweden and are incredibly shocked.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia light candles inside St Nicolai Church. Getty
"All of Sweden is shocked. Of course I'm thinking of the deceased and their families, their near and dear ones."
The King and Queen later attended a memorial mass at St Nicolai Kyrka.
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Their son, Prince Carl Philip, shared a video of the Swedish flag at half-mast as well as an emoji of a broken heart and the word 'Örebro', to the Instagram account he shares with wife Princess Sofia.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia shared this video following a mass shooting in Sweden. Instagram/prinsparet
They are preparing to welcome their fourth child any day now.
Yesterday, the King issued a statement hours after the incident, calling it a "terrible atrocity".
"With sadness and consternation, my family and I have received the information about the terrible atrocity in Örebro," King Carl XVI Gustaf said.
"Tonight we send our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts at this moment also go to the injured and their relatives as well as others affected.
The shooting has also been marked in neighbouring Denmark, which has historically shared close ties with Sweden.
The following day – February 5 – was Queen Mary's 53rd birthday and out of respect to the victims, the Danish flag Dannebrog was not flown at public institutions across the country as it normally would for a royal's birthday.
The Danish royal household instead shared a new photo of the Queen in honour of her birthday, while King Frederik issued a statement offering his "deepest condolences" to the Swedish people, saying he was "deeply horrified" by the "brutal shooting".
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