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Norway

Norwegian Royal Court changes their guidelines following #MeToo campaign

The Norwegian Royal Court has introduced new ethical guidelines for its employees following the #MeToo campaign. The new ethical guidelines give zero tolerance for sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination among the staff of the Norwegian royal household. This was announced by the Royal Court in their annual report which was published by the Court yesterday.

The Court had started to rework their ethical guidelines before the #MeToo campaign last autumn but went through their routines once again as a result of the campaign explained the Assistant Communications Manager at the Royal Palace to the Norwegian television channel NRK yesterday. “Like most other businesses, we also conducted a review of our routines to make sure that we as an organisation have zero tolerance for sexual harassment,” said the Assistant Communications Manager to NRK.

The Royal Palace in Oslo and the statue of British-born Queen Maud. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen

The Royal Court confirmed that there has not been any sexual harassment reported from any member of the royal household. The new guidelines apply to all employees regardless of position and tasks in the household. The Court emphasised environmental work in the instructions, stating that the Palace will focus more on sustainable solutions in the future for their members.

The guidelines also emphasised that the Court has zero tolerance for corruption. The Court has also prepared a guide for the use of social media. The guidelines will make employees aware of what they write, like or share on social media, and warn against commenting in a way that damages the interests of the Royal Court as well as the Royal Family. Violation of the new ethical guidelines can lead to consequences for the staff at the Palace.

Gry Mølleskog has been Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household since 2015. Here photographed during King Harald’s official opening of the Norwegian parliament in 2017. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

The Norwegian Royal Court is an institution that manages the Norwegian royal properties and assists the King, Queen and other members of the Royal Family in their work. It includes the key people who help in the constitutional tasks of the King, the Royal Family’s official mission in connection with representation and also staff and servants who provide practical support for day-to-day operations.

The Royal Court manages and operates the Royal Palace, as well as other royal properties. It also has responsibility for managing royal assets and funds. In 2009, the Royal Court had a total of 160 permanent employees, including employees at Skaugum.

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.