State Visit from South Korea to Norway: June 12 - 13

[eya]

South Korea’s President and his wife will undertake a state visit to Norway from 12-13 June on the invitation of King Harald and Queen Sonja.
The visit will be in both Oslo and Bergen


https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.html?tid=170027&sek=112472

 

[Kingen]

From the website of South Korean President:

http://english1.president.go.kr/President/News/585

 

[Kingen]

Queen Sonja won't attend the state visit due to an infection in her right foot.

https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.html?tid=170163&sek=112472

 

[Mbruno]

Queen Sonja won't attend the state visit due to an infection in her right foot.

https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.html?tid=170163&sek=112472

How unfortunate ! I hope Queen Sonja recovers quickly.

 

[Kingen]

The program for the state visit has been added to the calendar of the Norwegian Royal Court:

https://www.kongehuset.no/program.html?tid=27511&sek=26946

Wednesday 12th June
10.00 - Welcome ceremony
President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook will be welcomed by The King and Crown Prince Haakon at the Palace Square.

11.15 - Laying of a wreath
The King accompanies President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook for a wreath laying ceremony at Akershus Fortress in Oslo.

12.00 - Speech in the University Auditorium
The King accompanies President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook, where the President will deliver a speech within the Oslo Forum.

13.30 - Official luncheon
The King, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Astrid attend an official luncheon in honour of President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook, hosted by the Norwegian Government at Akershus Castle.

16.10 - Concert
The King, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Astrid attend a concert with Korean music, after an invitation by President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook at the Opera in Bjørvika.

20.00 - State Banquet
The King hosts a state banquet in honour of President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook at The Royal Palace. Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Astrid will also attend.

Thursday 13th June
14.00 - Official luncheon in Bergen
The King attends an official luncheon hosted by the Municipality of Bergen in honour of President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook at Haakonshallen in Bergen.

 

[Princess Larisa]

I assume Mette-Marit will participate if her health permits, she just hasn’t been announced in advance as has become customary.

 

[carlota]

I assume Mette-Marit will participate if her health permits, she just hasn’t been announced in advance as has become customary.

let's hope so, i missed seeing her in the official schedule.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks, Eya & Kingen!

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Queen Sonja won't attend the state visit due to an infection in her right foot.

https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.html?tid=170163&sek=112472

As The King has previously said, ''that (81-year-young) woman is a bit too active!'' So it won't surprise me if this has occurred after one of her many trips in the mountains/forests.

--------------------

Thursday 13th June
14.00 - Official luncheon in Bergen
The King attends an official luncheon hosted by the Municipality of Bergen in honour of President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook at Haakonshallen in Bergen.

Two more engagements:
His Majesty the King, His Excellency President Moon Jae-in and First lady Kim Jung-sook visit HNoMS Maud at Haakonsvern Naval Base (Bergen, 16:15).
His Majesty the King, His Excellency President Moon Jae-in and First lady Kim Jung-sook attend a short concert in composer Edvard Grieg’s home at Troldhaugen (Bergen, 17:15).

--------------------

I assume Mette-Marit will participate if her health permits, she just hasn’t been announced in advance as has become customary.

Yes, but she was ''completely exhausted'' after her two-day ''literature metro'' from May 8-10th and had to take a long break from the balcony on May 17th, so I personally doubt it.

--------------------

Reasons for the visit from Norway's point of view:
South Korea is our second largest Asian trading partner after China and is, therefore, an important partner for Norwegian business and industry.

The programme:
Royal Central article with translated information from Norwegian Royal Commentator, Oskar Aanmoen (link).

TV-coverage:
As I've written in other threads, we've come to a point here now where every major/special royal occasion is being televised. But when it comes to non-royal state visits that are not from the US and Russia (and probably China)? No, not that much! But there have been times when The Norwegian News Agency (NTB) has ''bothered'' to film the procession/speeches during the gala-dinners, which means a live-link and some coverage on TV2 News Channel. So let's hope for the best.

 

[Princess Larisa]

Yes, but she was ''completely exhausted'' after her two-day ''literature metro'' from May 8-10th and had to take a long break from the balcony on May 17th, so I personally doubt it.

I certainly don’t expect her to attend everything, but I’m hoping her health is well, so that she can do one engagement on the first day – perhaps the welcome ceremony or the state banquet. Whichever is easier on her.

 

[wartenberg7]

The Queen not able to attend and the CPcss possibly also not able due to poor health to act as stand-in for the Queen - that´s too sad...

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Queen Sonja won't attend the state visit due to an infection in her right foot.

https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.html?tid=170163&sek=112472

I hope Queen Sonja gets well soon. South Korea has been receiving a lot of royal visitors lately!

 

[eya]

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook are welcomed by King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon in Oslo today 12 June

https://www.belgaimage.be/#/gallery/6614085

https://www.rexfeatures.com/set/10302865

 

[iceflower]

.

Here's a short video of the welcome ceremony provided by the Palace:


** kongehuset video **


As well as some photos shared by the Palace:


** kongehuset: Statsbesøk fra Republikken Korea **

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks, Eya & Iceflower!

The Norwegian Royal House article above will be updated throughout the evening, so I won't translate information from it, especially since we are likely to get an English version after the dinner. But read about the programme in the Royal Central article in post 8.

BTW, here is a YouTube video from Norwegian Royal Commentator, Oskar Aanmoen (link).
And as one can see, much pomp and circumstance in a rainy Oslo today with His Majesty The King’s Guard and The Staff Band of The Norwegian Armed Forces. Another thing to notice is that Princess Astrid now has to use a stamp to sign things with, due to her tremors.
See it from 2:10, and read more about her health here (link).

----------------

Well, as I've done in other threads during gala dinners, let's go through the happenings in detail again:
(If some of the photos don't show, click on them more than once.)

19:45 CEST (25 min ago): The guests will be greeted by The King, The President-Couple, The Crown Prince and Princess Astrid in Speilsalen (the Music Hall). - Photos of the room: 1 - 2

They will then walk into the Smal Dining Room. - Photos of the room: 1 - 2 - 3

And then into the Smal Ballroom. - Photos of the room: 1 - 2

And then into the The Great Ballroom. - Photos of the room: 1 - 2 - 3

And then into the Banqueting Hall. - Photos of the room: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

20:00 CEST: The royal procession (headed by Lord Chamberlain, Gry Mølleskog) will go through the same beautiful rooms. And after entering the Banqueting Hall, The King and The President will give speeches, followed by the National Anthems.

Another thing to mention is that since this is a gala-dinner for a visiting head of state, The King and Crown Prince will be in uniforms and not white-tie as they are for other gala-dinners. I.e. the stortingsdinner, diplomatdinner and milestone celebratory-dinners.

BTW, if there is a live-link available, I will of course post it.

 

[mybags]

Some pictures of the dinner:

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20190613022700315?section=image/general
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20190613022400315?section=image/general

Hard to tell if Princess Astrid is wearing a tiara.

 

[Mbruno]

Some pictures of the dinner:

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20190613022700315?section=image/general
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20190613022400315?section=image/general

Hard to tell if Princess Astrid is wearing a tiara.

Who is holding Princess Astrid’s arm ?

 

[mybags]

It looks to be the same lady that escorted her at the funeral of Grand Duke Jean.

 

[maria-olivia]

Well , lucky they have Princess Astrid .

 

[Mbruno]

Well , lucky they have Princess Astrid .

Princess Märtha Louise could come in handy in moments like these if she were still a working member of the Royal Family.

Unfortunately it won’t get better until Ingrid Alexandra is old enough to take up official royal duties. The King and Queen and Princess Astrid are aging , and Crown Princess MM’s health problems preclude her from being as active as she used to be before.

 

[eya]

And today second day King Harald accompanied the Korea's presidential couple to visit KNM Maud at Haakonsvern Fortress in Bergen . The state visit ended in Edvard Grieg's home of Troldhaugen.

https://www.kongehuset.no/nyhet.html?tid=170244&sek=26939

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks, Mybags & Eya!

English Royal House articles from yesterday and today with lots of information, including some translated quotes from The King's gala-speech: 1 - 2.

Royal Central article from yesterday by Norwegian Royal Commentator, Oskar Aanmoen, with even more detailed information - and some photos he has taken himself (link).

The gala-speech by President Moon Jae-in (link).

And yes, there were live links available from the gala-dinner, but I got a bit distracted yesterday.
Anyway, here is a 40-min NRK video, where one can see the royal procession from 15:00 (link).
And to those who may be wondering about the woman walking at Princess Astrid's side? Well, that's her *lady-in-waiting* (''hoffdame''), Anne Heje. - That position, BTW, was abolished at the Norwegian court in the late 1990s (due to a modernization process), but the Princess still wanted to keep hers.

Hmm, was there anything else to mention? Yes, the orders:
The King was given The Order of Mugunghwa - Grand Cross with Collar (English Wikipedia article - link).
The Queen was given The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit - Grand Cross (English Wikipedia article - link).
President Moon Jae-in was given The Order of St. Olav - Grand Cross (English RH-article - link).
First Lady Kim Jung-sook was given The Order of Merit - Grand Cross (English RH-article - link).

------------------

Some pictures of the dinner:

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20190613022700315?section=image/general
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20190613022400315?section=image/general

Hard to tell if Princess Astrid is wearing a tiara.

She is wearing her aigrette tiara with ruby flowers (read about it here - link).

And to Mbruno, I answer your question above in the post.

 

[Muhler]

Why did the court aboslish the LiW? Surely royal women still require an trusted assistant from time to time. - Quite often actually.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Was a bit busy here!

Because The Queen saw the position as "old-fashioned." So now she and The Crown Princess are just using their private-secretaries.

 

[polyesco]

This State visit has been nice, but it's moments like these that an extra princess (ML) could come in handy to accompany the king.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

As a fan of Korean pop I'm pleased to see Monsta X performing for King Harald during the visit!
I agree that it would've been nice to see some more members of the RF accompanying Harald and Sonja during the visit; even Ingrid Alexandra with either one of her parents would have been nice (and would've helped her familiarise herself with the world of state visits - though perhaps, especially as she's changing schools, they didn't want her to miss a school day).

 

[Somebody]

Well , lucky they have Princess Astrid .

Those two ladies lighted up the procession -into the dining hall- that looked like a rather solemn occassion otherwise

 

[TNsinger]

As a fan of Korean pop I'm pleased to see Monsta X performing for King Harald during the visit!
I agree that it would've been nice to see some more members of the RF accompanying Harald and Sonja during the visit; even Ingrid Alexandra with either one of her parents would have been nice (and would've helped her familiarise herself with the world of state visits - though perhaps, especially as she's changing schools, they didn't want her to miss a school day).

Also, she is only 15 years old. That's far too young to be hob-nobbing with heads of state. Ingrid Alexandra should be ready to take on more state events when she is 18 like most other European royal ladies. Princess Martha Louise would have done good in a pinch after Astrid, but considering her controversial romantic relationship status at the moment, she probably was not even considered.

 

[Muhler]

Congratulations on your first post, TNsinger.

No, I think it's safe to say Märtha Louise is out in regards to state and official visits.
Having her entertaining foreign diplomats about angel-schools and urging them to come "out of their boxes" is perhaps not something the Norwegian Foreign Ministry is that interested in.
And should she end up getting married to Durek, he would automatically be invited. And... well, I'm sure foreign diplomats would find him most entertaining.

Fifteen is a little too young for Ingrid to take an active role in such a visit, but being there when the foreign dignitaries are received would be a good start IMO.
Unfortunately the number of fully functioning adult royals in NRF is reaching a critical level, so Ingrid will, IMO be needed much earlier than her teen colleagues in other countries. A matter of sheer necessity.

 

[wartenberg7]

Princess Märtha Louise could come in handy in moments like these if she were still a working member of the Royal Family.

Unfortunately it won’t get better until Ingrid Alexandra is old enough to take up official royal duties. The King and Queen and Princess Astrid are aging , and Crown Princess MM’s health problems preclude her from being as active as she used to be before.

Looking at this, it reminds me a lot of the 1960s, when King Olav was a widower, before Sonja came into the family!

 

[TNsinger]

Congratulations on your first post, TNsinger.

No, I think it's safe to say Märtha Louise is out in regards to state and official visits.
Having her entertaining foreign diplomats about angel-schools and urging them to come "out of their boxes" is perhaps not something the Norwegian Foreign Ministry is that interested in.
And should she end up getting married to Durek, he would automatically be invited. And... well, I'm sure foreign diplomats would find him most entertaining.

Fifteen is a little too young for Ingrid to take an active role in such a visit, but being there when the foreign dignitaries are received would be a good start IMO.
Unfortunately the number of fully functioning adult royals in NRF is reaching a critical level, so Ingrid will, IMO be needed much earlier than her teen colleagues in other countries. A matter of sheer necessity.

I'm glad we can agree on Martha Louise. I think it's safe to say she won't be entertaining any foreign dignitaries from now on. At least it doesn't appear that way from what her brother, the CP has recently said.

As for Ingrid-Alexandra, I still think 15 is far too young to entertain adults and foreign dignitary adults at that. Queen Sonja seems in fine shape as well, it just so happened she had a foot injury, nothing serious that would keep her out of these events for an extended period of time so I don't think it's at a critical level just yet. We can agree to disagree on that point. If it does come down to a it like it did for this state visit, all we can hope is that Princess Astrid can hang in there for a couple more years until Ingrid-Alexandra comes of age. Which doesn't seem to be a problem for her at the moment