Easter in Brazil '03

[Jenna1186]

This was sent to me by The Royal_Fanatsy Yahoo group.

Haakon & Mette-Marit in Hola

Wrapped by a tropical climate and waters of extraordinary
transparency, the future King and Queen of Norway have enjoyed sweet
and relaxing vacations with Marius, the son who the princess had with
Morten Berg before marrying her Prince, as been the only witness of
their more romantic hours. Far away from other people and their
responsibilities, the Prince and Princess of Norway left behind their
busy lives in London (where they have been residing and they studying
for almost a year) and their dynastic obligations to enjoy like any
other family the caresses of the sun in what is considered one of the
prettiest beaches of Brazil: Geribá, in the locality of Buzios, a
village of fishermen (located three hours by car from Rio de Janeiro)
with a clear blue bay and the best waves for surfing. Surrounded by a
mountain range, the princes of Norway dived, swam, rested and then
took a walk by the beach. They went each morning to the beaches each
morning like two tourists loaded with towels and toys for Marius. The
Princes have been wrapped up by the intensely blue ocean and have
played like two children with shells of curly conches while the sea,
an accomplice of their kisses, rocked and entertained Marius, having
allowed them to enjoy their feelings. "Where can I begin?" asked
Haakon recently, during an interview talking about how he felt about
his, Mette-Marit. Begin at the human heat and that incredible
chemistry that exists between both and how wonderfully well that they
understand each other.


No inheriting Prince had been able to appear on television explaining
that it was arranged that he resign the Crown for love. None was bold
enough, either, to leave a palace to buy an apartment downtown. A
place to live with his fiancèe and her son, Marius. And, finally, no
one had even imagined that, by love, he could marry an unmarried
mother. But Haakon did it. Like a medieval horseman, who without
shield nor sword, appeared sincerely on television and went to the
Norwegians to explain (as if they were his intimate friends) the
reasons of his heart. First, he recognized the past of Mette-Marit
and he accepted her past life. Later, he looked into the eyes of his
fellow citizens and it told them what he planned to do: if given the
ultimatum to choose between love and the Monarchy, would choose love.
After a few months, the Norwegians got used to seeing them together.
In the cinema, the restaurants, the supermarket, the street taking a
walk, everywhere... Also in London (where they reside) and Brazil.
Now just months before their second wedding anniversary Mette-Marit
has become for most of the inhabitants of that cold country a woman,
brave, strong. Nobody in the world, with the exception of themselves,
would have bet on the survival of that relationship.

"Mette-Marit, I love you", Haakon says constantly to his wife. I have
never been so in love. You are a wonderful person and I am proud of
being your partner for life. And she responds to him with each word
and each gesture as we can verify through the images that frame this
second honeymoon. Photos that illustrate perfectly what really they
feel the for each other so that nobody can say that irreconcilable
differences exist. In fact, and following exactly the most ancestral
traditions, the Princes of Norway turned every day of their vacation
with the rite of the enamored ones. Holding hands they waited for
each dusk that plunged the sun in the sea. The moment in which love,
according to a marine legend, will be fortified to become
indestructible. The future Kings of Norway have enjoyed a wonderful
stay in one of most luxurious spots on the coast. A paradise where
the old one is based and the new world. Where one can write a
postcard on a writing-desk of century XVIII, or taste one caipirinha
that has fallen down while in a hammock under the palms, while the
sea and the wind are on the feet of the swimmers. The scent of the
wet sand and the quiet it is possible for a moment to stop time in
this peninsula. In this little town that mixes the peasantness of a
colony of fishermen with the refinement of a French resort still you
can perceive the aroma already left by Brigitte Bardot for four
decades in that the princes and the small Marius have filled in
Geribá. The place where the glances and the smiles become crystal.

[Alexandria]

From Se Og Hor magazine, another picture of Haakon and Mette-Marit's vacation at Easter. Little Marius is to the left of the picture.

[Jacqueline]

Jenna, this is a wonderful article. Thank you for posting it. :)

Thank you for the photos to accompany the article Alexandria. :)

[Fireweaver]

They look so happy together (maybe not quite as mushy as Hola makes it sound) but still.
You can see the love between them, which I think is adorable. I'd like to see more royal marriages like that!