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

Norway

King Harald comments on his daughter’s new boyfriend during ship inspection

On Tuesday afternoon, His Majesty King Harald announced the season-opening of the Norwegian Royal Yacht “DS Norge”. Royal Central’s Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen was among the journalists present. The Norwegian press took the opportunity to ask some questions about Princess Märtha Louise’s new boyfriend. In short, the King said he thought it was nice that his daughter had found a boyfriend. He could confirm that neither he nor the Queen had met him yet, but they looked forward to meeting him. Then the King left the bridge to inspect his ship.

During the summer season, the crew of the DS Norge consists of 53 people, 17 officers and 36 other crew members. During the winter time, the crew is reduced to a minimum of approximately 25 people. The duties are mainly guarding the ship and maintaining the ship during the winter. In February, the vessel receives new officers and military crew who undergo theoretical and practical training for the upcoming season.

During this ceremony, which was conducted this week, the King inspects this year’s crew. He also examines the ship and makes sure everything is as it should before having a little chat with the captain and other military commanders on board. The King then gives his official approval, and the royal ship is officially ready to perform its duties for the Norwegian Royal Family throughout the season. It is common for the season to end in mid-September.

The Norwegian Royal Yacht is one of the world’s two remaining royal yachts. The other is the Danish Royal Yacht Dannebrog since the British Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997. The Royal Yacht was a gift from the people of Norway to King Haakon VII in 1947, purchased in the wake of a nationwide collection effort. The ship is owned by His Majesty The King but is manned and maintained by the Royal Norwegian Navy.

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.