80th Birthday Celebrations of King Harald V and Queen Sonja


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You are confusing line of succession with precedence.

Precedence places ALL the sons of the monarch ahead of any grandsons and so Sophie is the fourth lady in the land ahead of Kate.

Kate is fifth.

The Queen, Camilla (as the wife of the heir apparent), Anne (a daughter of the monarch), Sophie (wife of a son of the monarch), Kate (wife of the elder son of the Prince of Wales).

Yes, but it was asked why Catherine walks ahead of Sophie at events. That's what I was explaining. Catherine is pretty much like the third lady of the land.

Also, I'm not belittling the British royals and their traditions, but I think this is a proper way to put on a royal Birthday celebration. The British royals used to do clelebrations like this until The Queen's reign. Bring back that old magic, I say!
 
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Yes, but it was asked why Catherine walks ahead of Sophie at events. That's what I was explaining. Catherine is pretty much like the third lady of the land.

Also, I'm not belittling the British royals and their traditions, but I think this is a proper way to put on a royal Birthday celebration. The British royals used to do clelebrations like this until The Queen's reign. Bring back that old magic, I say!


The British used to do celebrations like this before WWI and not since.

Having seen cousins lose their thrones in the war and due to ostentatious display of wealth George V decided to play things down a lot more and having a more UK oriented family. He decided that foreign royal marriages weren't necessary for his sons and so was welcoming of commoners into his family rather than foreign princesses.

The BRF didn't do anything ostentatious after WWII other than a royal wedding and the coronation and before the war it was really only again royal weddings and coronations.

Even birthdays weren't done like this - e.g. Queen Victoria - the last British monarch to have an 80th birthday before the present Queen didn't do anything for her birthday on a national scale at all.
 
A right royal laugh! Crown Prince Haakon of Norway shaves off his beard in a bizarre prank during the King and Queen's 80th birthday dinner


  • Prince sneaked off during gala dinner in honour of King Harald and Queen Sonja
  • Dinner attended by Europe's glamorous royals including the Countess of Wessex
  • King Harald turned 80 on February 21, with Queen Sonja's birthday on July 4
Before and after:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/01/402507EC00000578-4490340-image-a-46_1494377129847.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/01/402507EC00000578-4490340-image-m-45_1494377117751.jpg

Read more: Crown Prince of Norway shaves off his beard during prank | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

WOW! He is crazy handsome with or without his beard, but I prefer with. Hope he grows it back. I wonder if his parents had been nagging him to shave it off so he did it for their birthday for a laugh.
 
I'm allowed to post, expressing my preference for these sort of glittering celebrations and gatherings of royalty from all over Europe. I enjoy seeing the royals intermix with each other in tiaras and necklaces and Orders and evening wear.

Sometimes the BRF doesn't get it right. I like the way the Scandinavian royalty do it. In Britain royalty often gives off an 'I'm making myself as inconspicuous as possible' vibe in order to escape criticism. Not much point in being Royal IMO if you can't wear tiaras and magnificent jewellery more than a couple of times a year!

Incidentally, between the wars there were balls and debutante presentations at BP and levees at St James in which tiaras and Orders were worn, so it didn't all stop with World War One. The QM, the Queen and Diana were seen in tiaras at the ballet and at film and theatre galas.

I hope when Charles comes to the throne he brings some of the glitter back.
 
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Was Madeleine Bernadotte herself present?
Too bad Albert of Belgium didn't attend. It would have been a nice opportunity for the surviving grandchildren of Carl and Ingeborg of Sweden to reunite.

I also think it's a pity that Charlene of Monaco avoids these kind of events. Albert finally has a wife but still has to go alone to the big royal events.

I like it when they mix up the royal couples.

Haven't seen a photo, but Madeleine is on the guest list with Bernhard Mach.
 
I think everyone looked great, but HGD Stephanie wardrobe was interesting.


I'm allowed to post, expressing my preference for these sort of glittering celebrations and gatherings of royalty from all over Europe. I enjoy seeing the royals intermix with each other in tiaras and necklaces and Orders and evening wear.
Sometimes the BRF doesn't get it right. I like the way the Scandinavian royalty do it. In Britain royalty often gives of an 'I'm making myself as inconspicuous as possible' vibe in order to escape criticism. Not much point in being Royal IMO if you can't wear tiaras and jewellery more than a couple of times a year!

Incidentally, between the wars there were balls and debutante presentations at BP and levees at St James in which tiaras and Orders were worn, so it didn't all stop with World War One. The QM, the Queen and Diana were seen in tiaras at the ballet and at film and theatre galas.

I hope when Charles comes to the throne he brings some of the glitter back.

I agree, bring the glitter back.
 
Madeleine Kogevinas (Bernadotte) arrived to the dinner together with her daughter Desiree Kogevinas.
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Ah, not sure how I missed her :sad:

Madeleine's companion for the night (not sure is she divorced from second husband?) Bernhard is escorting Tatiana and Sofia. And Desirees companion for the evening was with Stephanie and Constantijn.
 
I really can't believe no one told this woman to go put on a bra or wear a lined garment.

Her tiara looks weird too.


LaRae
 
Thank you everyone for all the photos, videos, and links! :flowers:

I'm catching up now as I could only watch the balcony appearance live but checked this thread occasionally throughout the workday.

Nearly everyone looked well, especially CP Victoria; it's wonderful to see so many tiaras.

Poor Desiree Kogevinas. I wish someone spoke to her between the balcony and dinner. Yikes. However, if she meant to go without a bra... wow, that's confidence.

Looking forward to tomorrow's events!
 
And no less than two Daily Mail articles: Princess Mary dazzles in diamond tiara worn as NECKLACE* | Daily Mail Online

Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrate birthdays | Daily Mail Online

It was most interesting to see the NRF perform the Norwegian Spring Dance, also known as the Fjord Dance. - It's a very common sight in Norway at this time of year. Groups of Norwegians suddenly emerge and begin to dance like that, without really knowing why. :ermm:
Anthropologists studied the phenomenon for decades until a biologist pointed out that ostriches in confined spaces exhibit a similar behavior.

It's caused by darkness and is most common in the deep inner fjords of Norway, where the sun rarely reach the bottom of the fjords during the winter half of the year, that is when it shines at all!
So when the sun during Spring finally reach the bottoms of the fjords the sensation is so novel that Norwegians simply go through these moves. - They simply can't help is. :sun:

Such flocks... I mean groups of Norwegians spontaneous dancing the Spring Dance can be seen way into June. Especially on days with overcast, like yesterday.

For comparison here is a video of an ostrich that has gone in "Spring-mode", you can clearly see the similarities between the ostriches and Dancing Norwegians. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqXIKzf4dAI
When ostriches and Norwegians during the winter months are confined in low wooden cottages, they display the same behavior of putting the head back and become lethargic. But that changes once they come outside and see open sky. Result. They begin to dance. :bounce:
 
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Your reputation as a folklorist of ancient Scandinavian customs is awe inspiring, Muhler, and grows with each post. Yes, I can see that Norwegians would dance the Fjord Dance at the appearing of the sun, which is obviously the recut of some deep ancestral memory. I think I would dance too if I hadn't seen the sun for so long.

As for ostriches, if they are anything like emus, which they resemble, I'd keep away. I was once chased by an emu and had to jump a gate to get away. I wasn't dancing at the time.
 
A right royal laugh! Crown Prince Haakon of Norway shaves off his beard in a bizarre prank during the King and Queen's 80th birthday dinner
  • Prince sneaked off during gala dinner in honour of King Harald and Queen Sonja
  • Dinner attended by Europe's glamorous royals including the Countess of Wessex
  • King Harald turned 80 on February 21, with Queen Sonja's birthday on July 4
Before and after:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/01/402507EC00000578-4490340-image-a-46_1494377129847.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/01/402507EC00000578-4490340-image-m-45_1494377117751.jpg

Read more: Crown Prince of Norway shaves off his beard during prank | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

WOW! He is crazy handsome with or without his beard, but I prefer with. Hope he grows it back. I wonder if his parents had been nagging him to shave it off so he did it for their birthday for a laugh.

Agree 100%. :flowers:
 
Has no one from Princess Astrids or Princess Ragnhilds family attended the festivity? And were members of Queen Sonjas family among the guests?
 
Judging by Desiree Kogevinas, it was cold tonight in Oslo ...:whistling:
Where is Marius btw ?

Marius quit public life early this year so I didn't expect to see him at such a public event.
 
A right royal laugh! Crown Prince Haakon of Norway shaves off his beard in a bizarre prank during the King and Queen's 80th birthday dinner


  • Prince sneaked off during gala dinner in honour of King Harald and Queen Sonja
  • Dinner attended by Europe's glamorous royals including the Countess of Wessex
  • King Harald turned 80 on February 21, with Queen Sonja's birthday on July 4
Before and after:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/01/402507EC00000578-4490340-image-a-46_1494377129847.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/05/10/01/402507EC00000578-4490340-image-m-45_1494377117751.jpg

Read more: Crown Prince of Norway shaves off his beard during prank | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Thats so funny and very unexpected.
Some greta pictures from last night. Thank you to all who shared them.
 
Wonderful celebrations yesterday! All the gentleman elegant and the ladies perfect!

My top three from the ladies: Princess Tatiana, Countess of Wessex and Queen Mathilde!!

Thank you all for the photos and links!
And we have and today!!

I like these captions from the dinner

https://0.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116233562:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=ffpelojo
https://0.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116233555:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=liedhbko
https://2.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116233546:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=hjjhmfhp
https://2.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116233528:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=lfmlmlna

And the Queen Sonja in her speech tells of the gift to her husband which is a stable to be used for exhibitions.

https://2.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116232244:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=damgcall

and a storehouse on pillars

https://1.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116232238:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=gehnalng

This morning Guests are arriving at the Norge Royal Yacht

https://images.scribblelive.com/2017/5/10/7f802785-73a2-4177-b59d-bc27a355761a.jpg
https://images.scribblelive.com/2017/5/10/f722d286-a5f4-4564-be53-dcfe24a9eaac.jpg
https://images.scribblelive.com/2017/5/10/f722d286-a5f4-4564-be53-dcfe24a9eaac.jpg
https://images.scribblelive.com/2017/5/10/60a5cad0-6874-43b9-8e18-0ecc53745631.jpg
https://scontent.fath3-2.fna.fbcdn....=99ac04caa7ee88cd742f653c02b20f99&oe=59C192AC
https://scontent.fath3-2.fna.fbcdn....=efb8510caef5fdeaad5c6c295ebdaa84&oe=59BD7082
https://0.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:116246454:1800x650:w?v=5912ca84&m=mfjjhlij


VIDEO

https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelige/vi-sender-direkte-tv-fra-oslo-kl-1040

:previous: And I was wondering where is our Royal Reporter in Norway?? ;):):flowers:

Thanks ROYAL NORWAY!!
 
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Scandinavian royals definitely know how to throw big parties and so that the royal watchers can also "be part" of the celebrations (not like that recent private bday party of WA). All those lovely photos and video clips of all those beautiful (and sometimes not-so-beautiful) evening gowns, glittering tiaras and handsome men. Thank you very much for sharing!

From ladies my TOP3 favorites were: Princess Tatiana of Greece, Queen Mathilde in red and Countess of Wessex.
The best jewellery: Queen Maxima, Queen Silvia and Queen Sonja.
The best/funniest surprise: Crown Prince Haakon getting rid of his beard. Haakon looks instantly 10 years younger, even though he looks handsome with beard. I wonder when Prince Carl Philip will get rid of his beard (its very unflattering on him)?
Biggest fail: braless Désirée Kogevinas.

Here's another gallery with big pictures:
http://www.ohtuleht.ee/803913/galer...norra-kuninga-ja-kuninganna-80-sunnipaevale#9
 
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To the British - individual celebrations such as birthdays are private events not public ones - that is their way and should be respected. They also do weddings differently believing strongly that there should be 'private' events as well as times to share with the public and a birthday party is a private events, as is a wedding reception but the church service to celebrate things is a public event. We will probably see that later in the year with the 70th wedding anniversary church service (assuming one is held either in the Abbey or at St Georges - given Philip's retirement it may be at Windsor).



There's no such thing as a British way of doing things. There's a Scottish way, an English way, a Welsh way and an Irish way. The UK is not a country, it's a state made up of countries and each country has it's own customs and traditions.
 
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I really like it that Mabel is included.... but where is Laurentien ???
 
Also, I'm not belittling the British royals and their traditions, but I think this is a proper way to put on a royal Birthday celebration. The British royals used to do clelebrations like this until The Queen's reign. Bring back that old magic, I say!

The 60th birthday of Charles at Buckingham palace was maybe not a tiara event, but it was not shabby either, with royals from all over Europe too.

Same for the golden wedding anniversary ball in 1997, the Golden jubilee Dinner or the Diamond jubilee lunch... the royal gathering was impressive.

Not as glittering for sure, but the Queen feels that way.
 
A BT article dedicated solely to Wonder Woman: Kongefamilien holdt kæmpe-fest: Men det var en 'ukendt' kvinde, der stjal AL opmærksomheden | BT Royale - www.bt.dk

Oh yeah, there is also something about a birthday-whatever.
There is always something that makes you remember a party. :lol:
I wonder how she reacted when she saw the photos of her today? - Are any of the guests seen with a bag over her head by any chance? If so, that'll be her...

More details from Dagbladet: http://www.dagbladet.no/kjendis/ukj...tsbalkongen---fikk-mye-oppmerksomhet/67558664
Including Sverre entertaining the crowd with dabbing - whatever that is.

And a FYI: BB will send live from 18.30.
 
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A BT article dedicated solely to Wonder Woman: Kongefamilien holdt kæmpe-fest: Men det var en 'ukendt' kvinde, der stjal AL opmærksomheden | BT Royale - www.bt.dk

Oh yeah, there is also something about a birthday-whatever.
There is always something that makes you remember a party. :lol:
I wonder how she reacted when she saw the photos of her today? - Are any of the guests seen with a bag over her head by any chance? If so, that'll be her....

She is OK ;)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/image...1c6a4b53e33c3c3ed98fa7863c22dc0ee72dc2b73.jpg
 
A BT article dedicated solely to Wonder Woman: Kongefamilien holdt kæmpe-fest: Men det var en 'ukendt' kvinde, der stjal AL opmærksomheden | BT Royale - www.bt.dk

Oh yeah, there is also something about a birthday-whatever.
There is always something that makes you remember a party. [emoji38]
I wonder how she reacted when she saw the photos of her today? - Are any of the guests seen with a bag over her head by any chance? If so, that'll be her...

More details from Dagbladet: http://www.dagbladet.no/kjendis/ukj...tsbalkongen---fikk-mye-oppmerksomhet/67558664
Including Sverre entertaining the crowd with dabbing - whatever that is.

And a FYI: BB will send live from 18.30.
I still don't understand how she got such a prominent place on the balcony. I get that she has an impressive pedigree but so do other relatives. For ex.Could not her mother attend? Any of the King's Brazilian nieces or nephews. It is a shame Desirée got on the balcony and made a fool of herself. CP Victoria cannot even hide her embarrassment.?
 
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