SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

DenmarkOther

Norway shows solidarity with Denmark following the death of Prince Henrik

The Norwegian Royal Family is showing their solidarity and close ties with the Danish Royal Family after Prince Henrik’s death. His Majesty King Harald of Norway has ordered that the Norwegian state flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo be flown at half-mast today and the day of Prince Henrik’s funeral, 20 February.

The Norwegian Royal Family has also sent out their formal condolences to the Danish Royal Family. The Norwegian and Danish royal families are in close contact, and it is, therefore, highly likely that King Harald has personally talked to Queen Margrethe on the phone today to express his sorrow. Prince Henrik was considered as a close friend of both the Norwegian King and Queen.

“Our thoughts go to Queen Margrethe and the closest family after Prince Henrik’s passing. Our condolences also go to the Danish people,” wrote King Harald in his condolence. The Norwegian Royal Court then added information about the King’s decision to have the Norwegian flag at half-mast.

Royal Central‘s Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen passed the Norwegian Royal Palace just an hour ago. A significant crowd had stopped in front of the palace and watched the flag. Most of them had received the message of Prince Henrik’s death and thought it was a lovely thing for the Norwegian Royal Family to do to show their respect.

Oslo’s Royal Palace Wednesday. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen / Royal Central.

The Norwegian media has also had broad coverage of Prince’s death, and this is the main news of all the country’s newspapers and television stations. Norwegian press describes the prince as a colourful and knowledgeable person.

Last time, Prince Henrik visited Norway officially was in 2014 when he, along with Queen Margrethe and the Norwegian and Swedish royals participated in the celebration of Norway’s constitution’s 200th anniversary. When King Harald and Queen Sonja marked their 80th birthdays in 2017, it was speculated that the Prince would participate, but he did not.

Oslo’s Royal Palace Wednesday. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen / Royal Central.

Although Prince Henrik’s funeral will be private, it is highly likely that members of the Norwegian Royal Family will participate. The Norwegian and Danish royals are close relatives. Queen Margrethe and King Harald are second cousins. Queen Margrethe’s father, King Frederick IX, was the son of King Christian X who was the older brother of Prince Carl of Denmark, who was elected King of Norway in 1905 and took the name King Haakon VII.

King Harald’s grandmother, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, was also born a Danish princess and sister to both Christian X and Haakon VII.

While the Norwegian Royal Court has not confirmed the attendance of any of their members at the funeral, the Swedish Royal Court has said that they will send representatives. King Carl XVI Gustaf is a first cousin to Queen Margrethe.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.