King Harald And Queen Sonja News and Pictures: November 2003 - August 2004

[Alexandria]

I read on the Scandinavian Royals message board that before the cancer diagnosis, the King and Queen had given an interview about Christmas traditions and their memories of their grandparents, and what it meant to them to be grandparents now.

Perhaps the picture is from this interview?

The King looks wonderful at any rate. Thank you for sharing it Mandy.

[norwegianne]

Originally posted by Mandy@Dec 21st, 2003 - 10:11 pm
A couple of newspapers posted this picture with their ariticle. Wonder if it is a recent one.
ANB Photo

I don't know if it's a recent one, but as he went directly to the Kongseter it has to be from before he was admitted to the hospital.

[jun5]

I'm very interested in King Harald And Queen Sonja.

I heard that Queen Sonja is the first woman who married into the royal family of Norway from a civilian. Therefore, there was large-opposed to their marriage from the royal family. How King Harald and Queen Sonja met for the first time?

[norwegianne]

Originally posted by jun5@Jan 7th, 2004 - 10:14 am
I'm very interested in King Harald And Queen Sonja.

I heard that Queen Sonja is the first woman who married into the royal family of Norway from a civilian. Therefore, there was large-opposed to their marriage from the royal family. How King Harald and Queen Sonja met for the first time?

From the official biographies I've read they were introduced by a mutal friend at a party Sonja hadn't even intended to attend, since her father had recently passed away.

Some time later Sonja came running to her mother: "Mum, Mum, I'm invited to the graduation ball [note: the military accademy has a graduation ball, every year. with the Crown Prince." There's a very famous photograph of Sonja, trying to be discreet, leaning over to check out the marks he'd gotten...

They knew each other for nine years before King Olav approved the marriage. A reason for the long wait was just that it had been a very long time since a civilian had married into the Norwegian Royal family. I'm not sure who the last one was, but seeing as we were in union with Denmark for 400 years and Sweden closer to 90... it was quite some time ago.

Of course some of the newspapers, and some people proclaimed it the end of the monarchy...


Oh, and for those interested in the Royal urinary problem: King Harald has checked out of the hospital, but will return for regular check-ups.

[Alexandria]

Originally posted by norwegianne@Jan 7th, 2004 - 10:43 am
Some time later Sonja came running to her mother: "Mum, Mum, I'm invited to the graduation ball [note: the military accademy has a graduation ball, every year. with the Crown Prince." There's a very famous photograph of Sonja, trying to be discreet, leaning over to check out the marks he'd gotten...

Thanks for the story and the update on King Harald's health, norwegianne. Glad to hear that the King is doing better.

Does anyone have a copy of this picture? I'd like to see how 'discreet' the Queen was being!

[norwegianne]

I think I can find it and scan it in for you by tomorrow. I think it is a book I've got about her. It was the first public picture of them together, and the photographer didn't know that he'd struck gold when he took it.

[Alexandria]

Originally posted by norwegianne@Jan 7th, 2004 - 2:05 pm
I think I can find it and scan it in for you by tomorrow. I think it is a book I've got about her. It was the first public picture of them together, and the photographer didn't know that he'd struck gold when he took it.

Thank you, norwegianne. I will look forward to it. :flower:

The photographer 'striking gold' was the understatment of the yeah!

And how nerve-racking that this was their 'first date'! Dating a Crown Prince would be nerve-racking enough, but at such an event and such an occasion ...

[jun5]

Originally posted by norwegianne@Jan 7th, 2004 - 10:43 am
From the official biographies I've read they were introduced by a mutal friend at a party Sonja hadn't even intended to attend, since her father had recently passed away.

Some time later Sonja came running to her mother: "Mum, Mum, I'm invited to the graduation ball [note: the military accademy has a graduation ball, every year. with the Crown Prince." There's a very famous photograph of Sonja, trying to be discreet, leaning over to check out the marks he'd gotten...

They knew each other for nine years before King Olav approved the marriage. A reason for the long wait was just that it had been a very long time since a civilian had married into the Norwegian Royal family. I'm not sure who the last one was, but seeing as we were in union with Denmark for 400 years and Sweden closer to 90... it was quite some time ago.

Of course some of the newspapers, and some people proclaimed it the end of the monarchy...


Oh, and for those interested in the Royal urinary problem: King Harald has checked out of the hospital, but will return for regular check-ups.

norwegianne, thank you for the good story about King Harald and Queen Sonya. :flower:

9 yars. It is too long !!! Their love story is as so romantic as Haakon and Mette-Marit. I think that it is great which they didn't give up their love. And I'm also glad to hear about King is good.

And I also would like to see that picture so much.

[norwegianne]

I was reading through Queen Sonja's biography last night, and need to correct something: their first meeting was during a holiday, when Prince Harald came and dragged in her scarf. Their real meeting, ie. when they got to know each other was when they were introduced by a mutal friend.

Oh, and scanned the picture.

It's taken from Arvid Møller's book: Dronning Sonja, 25 år som landets førstedame.

A larger version. Still from the same book.

[jun5]

Thak you for posting great picture, norwegianne. :flower:

I'm very happy for seeing that picture. Thank you so much !

[Alexandria]

Great picture norwegianne! Definitely worth the wait!

Can you tell me the name of the book you are getting these great pictures from? I'd be interested in reading it or in the least checking out the pictures if the book is in Norwegian.

[norwegianne]

I'm getting them from Dronning Sonja: 25 år som Norges førstedame by Arvid Møller. But they're also in Sonja - Norges Kronprinsesse by Randi Bratteli. I doubt very much that they have been translated to English, or even if the latter is still for sale.

[Alexandria]

Thanks for the various titles of the book. I'm disappointed that they haven't been/aren't in English, but there is a great website in which you an purchase old and out of print books. I bought Queen Frederika's book from this website. They have a very good international selection of out of print books, too, as the site is Canadian-based.

I won't be able to read it, but I will definitely have a good time looking at all the pictures!

[norwegianne]

My sister just came home from a theatre-performance she had attended at her school, my old one. It has Norway's oldest amateur-theatre. And every year they put up a performance, and send invitations out to important people. One of the years I attended they had the refusal letter from the Prime Minister, and the royal Norwegian culture department printed in the programme: this year they have:

"Their royal majesties, the King and Queen have asked me to thank you for the invitation to the theatre's premiere next January 3rd.

Further I have been given the task to tell you that the Royal couple unfortunately won't have the time to attend.

Sincerely, the cabinet secretary... etc.. "

I don't think they have ever attended, but it has become a sport to send an invite, just so you can have the letter in the programme. ...

It was sent before the King went into the hospital.

[Dennism]

This was at a ball? The Queen is wearing a business suit of some kind? Nice but hardly appropiate for dancing.

[norwegianne]

This was at the graduation ceremony, I suppose, when he got his grades.

[sara1981]

what about HM will visit newly grandchildren?

Sara Boyce