On 29 August 1968, Norway’s Crown Prince
Harald wed the love of his life, Sonja Haraldsen, at long last. The
pair had gained the approval of King Olav to wed after Harald vowed
to never marry at all if he could not marry Sonja – a commoner. The
wedding took place in Oslo Cathedral with 850 people in attendance,
including royals from across the world. Ilmi Riddervold served as…
Moving speeches at a birthday celebration for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Norway
26th August 2023
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess
Mette-Marit hosted a joint 50th birthday party, welcoming people
from all over Norway to a ‘Bakgårdsfest’ at the Royal Palace in
Olso. Queen Sonja welcomed the guests with a speech, telling the
crowd that for their 50th…
It was the first big royal wedding of the
21st century bringing kings, queens, princes and princesses
together for a very modern monarchical marriage. The relationship
between Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit Tjessme Hoiby
had been under scrutiny from the moment…
It’s not often the bridal bouquet gets
its own name but that’s just what happened at the first major royal
wedding of the 21st century. When Mette-Marit Tjessem Hjoiby
married Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, on August 25th 2001 in Oslo,
she carried an unusual arrangement of flowers that had a title all
of its own. The creation was called ‘Brudeloperen’ and it remains
one…
Crown Princess Mette-Marit speaks of duty and hope in birthday interview
23rd August 2023
Crown Princess Mette-Marit gave a
wide-ranging interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK to coincide
with her 50th birthday. She spoke of her humble beginnings, how
she’s adjusted to life in the Royal Family, and her hopes for the
future. As Norway’s Crown Princess…
Just a few weeks after Crown Prince
Haakon marked his 50th birthday, his wife, Mette-Marit, is
celebrating her 50 years of life. Who is the next commoner queen
who was once controversial but is now beloved by all of Norway?
Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby was born on 19…
It was a quiet country house, described
by several who knew it as ‘’little’’ and a ‘’pied a terre’, given
as a wedding present to a royal couple who were expected to linger
on the fringes of regal life. Yet on July 2nd 1903, it became the
birthplace of one of the most popular and celebrated monarchs of
the 20th century. For it was at Appleton House, on the Sandringham
Estate, that…
Norway has been hit by the worst floods
in over 20 years. Last week, King Harald and Queen Sonja visited
flood victims in Eastern Norway. Now Crown Prince Haakon has also
shown his support for those who have been evacuated and have lost
their homes. The visit began…
Eastern Norway has been hit by one of the
worst floods in over 20 years. King Harald and Queen Sonja have
visited the areas that have been affected by floods and the storm
“Hans”. King Harald and Queen Sonja visited the flood area in the
Drammen region after…
One of Queen Sonja’s most modern and
unique tiaras was a gift from her husband on her 60th birthday. In
1997, Queen Sonja was presented with the Modern Gold Tiara, crafted
by Millie Behrens. The tiara features golden strips of metal set
with diamonds in the spacing and a central gemstone that can be
changed between a red-orange topaz, a tourmaline, and a diamond.
The tiara is truly…
