Visit to USA, 16.-20. September 2005

[norwegianne]

This is the place to post news and information about the upcoming visit to the United States.

King Harald and Queen Sonja will be accompanied by Princess Ragnhild Mrs Lorentzen, Princess Astrid Mrs Ferner, Erling Lorentzen and Johan Martin Ferner.

On September 18. at 1 pm a statue of Crown Princess Märtha will be unveiled in front of the Norwegian Ambassador's residence at 3401 Massachusetts Avenue NW.. Washington DC. (This is open to the public.)

On September 19 - King Harald and Queen Sonja will launch the 2005 centennial program in cooperation with The Smithsonian Associates.

[Smilla]

On September 18. at 1 pm a statue of Crown Princess Märtha will be unveiled in front of the Norwegian Ambassador's residence at 3401 Massachusetts Avenue NW.. Washington DC. (This is open to the public.)


How come they're putting up a statue of Märtha Louise? But I thought she was no longer an "official" princess after her marriage to Ari Behn?

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by Smilla

On September 18. at 1 pm a statue of Crown Princess Märtha will be unveiled in front of the Norwegian Ambassador's residence at 3401 Massachusetts Avenue NW.. Washington DC. (This is open to the public.)


How come they're putting up a statue of Märtha Louise? But I thought she was no longer an "official" princess after her marriage to Ari Behn?

They're not. They're putting up a statue of Crown Princess Märtha, wife of King Olav V, and mother of Princess Ragnhild, Princess Astrid and King Harald. The statue is erected in Washington DC as she spent WWII in exile in the area, with her children.

[Smilla]

Thank you, norwegianne. I mixed her up with Märtha Louise.

[HMQueenElizabethII]

I'm wondering if it is really a State Visit as King Harald's State Visit already take place on the previous one, i think it's just an Official Visit with an aim is to unveiling the statue of Crown Princess Martha.If you know more information about it, can you tell me more about it, norwegian because i still don't know much about this particular visit.

[Larzen]

Its not a state visit but an official visit, here is the agenda from www.kongehuset.no

18.09

12.30 King, Queen Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid (and husbands I assume) is present for the unveiling of the statue of Crown Princess Märtha in Washington DC

18.45 They are all also present for a dinner hosted by The Norwegian American Foundation at the university club in Washington DC


19.09
10.00 The King, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid visits Washington Navy Yard

18.30 The Queen gives the lecture “destination Norway” at Smithsonian Washington DC


20.09
11.00 the King, Queen , Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid is present for a seminar about the architecture firm Snøhetta and National Building Museum, Washington DC
14.45 The Queen visit National Geographic Society, Washingto DC

[tiaraprin]

Her Majesty, Queen Sonia to give a lecture in Washington D.C. on the beauties of Norway:


http://www.norway.org/culture/lectur...nningsonja.htm

[Larzen]

Washington, UNITED STATES: From L to R, Queen Sonja, King Harald V, Princess Ragnhild and her husband Erling Lorentzen, Johan M. Ferner and his wife Princess Astrid look on during the unveiling of the statue of Crown Princess Martha 18 September 2005 at the Norwegian embassy in Washington. The king and his sisters, Princess Astrid and Princess Ragnhild, took refuge for five years during World War II in Washington and spent some months at the White House as guests of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The statue is a gift from the Norwegian American Foundation to Norway in honor of the country's centennial. AFP PHOTO/Chip SOMODEVILLA (Photo credit should read CHIP SOMODEVILLA/AFP/

Getty Images

[Larzen]

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 19: King Harald V of Norway (2nd-L) is escorted by Commander Scott Chapman (L) as they inspect the Navy Ceremonial Guards during an arrival ceremony at Washington Navy Yard September 19, 2005 in Washington, DC. The trip of King Harald V to Washington marked 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Norway. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

[Emily]

Gosh, KH looks so much like his father in the last picture, although I realize he has a funny expression on his face. A question: what is the sibling order in this family and any idea of their ages?

[norwegianne]

Both Ragnhild and Astrid look very good for their age, Ragnhild looks younger now than in some pictures from about 10-12 years ago...

Interesting that the visit to the Navy Yard was a reenactment/tribute to when Crown Princess Märtha received a ship from the American navy as a birthday gift for King Haakon in 1942, and where/when FDR made his famous speech "Look to Norway" http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...chmentid=96080

Really a trip specked with Norwegian history.

[Lady Marmalade]

Hi All,

A state visit in the U.S. consists if the head of state will be officially meeting with our president. This includes a ceremony at the White House as an official welcome followed by a luncheon or state dinner.

I would agree, this appears to be an official visit, not a state one.
And we welcome their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses to the United States for the dedication.