Norwegian Christmas 2003

mpmer · #1 12-22-2003, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xicamaluca@Dec 18th, 2003 - 3:08 pm
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/ar...rticleID=693880

Christmas in new home

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have completed their move to the renovated royal estate Skaugum in Asker and they will celebrate their first Christmas there with members of the crown princess' family.

Queen Sonja and a convalescent King Harald, recovering from bladder cancer surgery, will host their daughter princess Martha Louise and her family - husband Ari Behn and their daughter Maud Angelica - for the Christmas holidays.

wow. That is the first time I think I have read an article saying a royal couple will spend Christmas with the non-royal by blood's family instead of the royal family.

It seems like everyone who marries into a royal family has to put their family second when it comes to Christmas.

Dennism · #2 12-23-2003, 12:38 PM

""Queen Sonja and a convalescent King Harald, recovering from bladder cancer surgery, will host their daughter princess Martha Louise and her family - husband Ari Behn and their daughter Maud Angelica - for the Christmas holidays."

Well, it's the same with all couples. Alternating holidays. But I wonder if they want the king to be around less people. Easier on him to have less people around while he's recovering. Less noise. Even if it's only 3 more people.

**norwegianne** · #3 12-23-2003, 01:43 PM

She's growing up. Picture from NTB, picked up from Aftenposten.no

Alexandria · #4 12-23-2003, 01:43 PM

What sweet pictures of Haakon, Mette-Marit and Marius this holiday season.

Thank you for sharing them nicoline.

Alexandria · #5 12-23-2003, 01:51 PM

Polfoto - 23 December 2003 - The Norwegian Royal Family gathered at the royal castle on Dec. 23rd. Queen Sonja, Princess Märtha Louise her husband Ari Behn and their daughter Maud Angelica, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit. Photo: Vidar Ruud

Alexandria · #6 12-23-2003, 02:02 PM

Queen Sonja looks so festive in the Polfoto pictures. That deep red looks great on her. Everybody else is equally festively dressed up, especially Maud and Martha Louise.

And Queen Sonja looks thrilled to be with her first granddaughter for their first Christmas together. Imagine how happy she will be next year: 2 grandchildren and King Harald healthy and with the family again.

**norwegianne** · #7 12-23-2003, 02:52 PM

And Mette-Marit's in black. It makes it harder to see the stomach, but looks great with her blonde hair.

Alexandria · #8 12-23-2003, 02:56 PM

One more of a very exhilerated grandmother and her adorably-dressed granddaughter, from my friend Marianne:

**norwegianne** · #9 12-23-2003, 06:06 PM

Ari & Maud Angelica, photo: Scanpix

Question: Does her big blue eyes remind anyone else of Prince Felix of Denmark?

Alexandria · #10 12-23-2003, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by norwegianne@Dec 23rd, 2003 - 6:06 pm
Question: Does her big blue eyes remind anyone else of Prince Felix of Denmark?

Do I sense that someone is playing matchmaker here norwegianne?! :P Prince Felix of Denmark and Maud Angelica Behn a future couple?!

Alexandria · #11 12-23-2003, 08:04 PM

Alexandria · #12 12-23-2003, 09:55 PM

Can anyone tell me if the pictures of Haakon and Mette-Marit and Marius were taken at their new home? Or were these pictures taken at the royal palace where the pictures with the Queen, Martha Louise, Ari and Maud were also taken?

**norwegianne** · #13 12-24-2003, 06:11 AM

The pictures of the Crown couple were indeed taken at their new home. They were taken earlier in the day than the ones at the palace.

(And I'm not playing matchmaker, yet... the big blue eyes just reminded me of Prince Felix

As they are distantly related, it's not that uncommon. )

Elizajane · #14 12-24-2003, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexandria@Dec 23rd, 2003 - 1:52 pm
Polfoto - 23 December 2003 - Photo: Vidar Ruud

What a great photo! The only one missing is King Harald. I imagine he wishes he could have been included in this festive photograph. Little Maud Angelica has certainly grown into a very beautiful baby who no doubt has smiles for her grandmother. Can't wait until next year when the "new arrival" will be present!

Elizajane

Elizajane · #15 12-24-2003, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexandria@Dec 23rd, 2003 - 1:58 pm
Originally posted by nicoline:

CP Haakon has always appeared "devoted" to Marius.

To me, that's quite rare among "stepdads". Look how close he seems to be in this photo with Marius. These are wonderful shots, Nicoline. Thanks for posting them.

Elizajane

Elizajane · #16 12-24-2003, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by norwegianne@Dec 23rd, 2003 - 2:52 pm
And Mette-Marit's in black. It makes it harder to see the stomach, but looks great with her blonde hair.

I can sort of identify with Mette-Marit wearing so much brown and black. We do miss out on seeing her pregnant in bright colors but she must have her own reasons for dressing in dark colors. Into my 6th month, I began getting "huge" and started rummaging through my husband's closet to find big dark bulky sweaters and shirts. I just didn't want people to look at my ever - growing belly! .. and, I often became tired of "everyone wanting to feel my stomach"! Maternity dress only lasts for about 9 months so why blow a lot of money on "everyday" maternity wear? In MM's case, however, I think she just glows during this pregnancy of hers. It's not that too far away ~ January 22nd, 2004! I hope she has a safe delivery. Can't wait!

Elizajane

**norwegianne** · #17 12-24-2003, 05:13 PM

Article on how Haakon and Marius broke the royal tradition, and attended the church service on Christmas eve.
VG Nett - Hovedsiden

Quote:

Marius overrasket

Kronprins Haakon og lille Marius brøt kongelig tradisjon da de  gikk i kirken julaften, skriver NTB.

Kronprins Haakon og Marius dukket overraskende dukket opp i Asker kirke til familiegudstjeneste på selveste julaften.
Tidligere har 1. juledag vært den store kirkedagen for kongefamilien. Kronprinsparet gikk for øvrig i kirken julaften for to år siden, da de feiret jul i sitt hjem i Ullevålsveien. Men da skjedde kirkebesøket nærmest anonymt. Kronprinsesse Mette-Marit, som venter barn om fire uker, skulle være med til Asker kirke julaften, men har trolig ikke følt seg i form til å gå. Med i kronprinsens følge til kirken var kronprinsessens sønn Marius, kronprinsessens mor Marit Tjessem og hennes ektemann Rolf Berntsen, og to av søsknene med barn. 
 
Velkommen 
 
Sognepresten i Asker kirke, Øyvind Backer, ønsket kronprinsen velkommen til den fullsatte kirken, der den kongelige gjesten og hans følge var plassert på egne stoler på høyre side foran i kirken. 

Asker kirke ligger bare en knapp kilometer fra kronprinsboligen på Skaugum. 1. januar i år ble kronprinsparet ønsket velkommen til menigheten av blant andre biskop Gunnar Stålsett. Denne dagen overtok kronprins Haakon formelt kronprinsboligen Skaugum, samtidig som Asker ble eget prosti. 
 
Kongefamilien har vært flittige kirkegjengere i Asker kirke helt siden daværende kronprins Olav og kronprinsesse Märtha fikk Skaugum i bryllupsgave i 1929. Prinsesse Astrid og prinsesse Ragnhild giftet seg i Asker kirke og prinsesse Märtha Louise er konfirmert her, og utenfor kirken står en statue av prinsesse Märtha. 
 
Fullsatt kirke 
 
Asker kirke var fullsatt til siste benkerad med kirkegjengere i alle aldre julaften. Her var sikkert også flere av klassekameratene til seksåringen Marius på Jansløkka skole, som ligger mellom Skaugum og kirken. 
 
Både små og store askerbøringer stemte i «Deilig er jorden» og andre kjente julesalmer før de gikk hver til sitt for videre julefeiring. På Skaugum dukket kanskje også nissen opp fra fjøs eller stall.