Alexandria
Heir Apparent
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2003
- Messages
- 3,207
- Country
- Canada
www.afterposten.no
Royal Week in Norway
This week marks a string of royal celebrations, from a baptism to a memorial service to a birthday. Meanwhile, King Harald says he thinks his father, the late King Olav, would have embraced the royal family's controversial new members, especially Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Tuesday would have been King Olav's 100th birthday, and the royal family is using the occasion to baptize Princess Martha Louise's baby daughter, Maud Angelica.
King Harald, in an interview with VG, is also seizing the opportunity to try to pass some of the late king's popularity on to the next generation.
"If King Olav had the chance to get to know the crown princess, I'm sure he would have come to the same conclusion as I did," he told VG. "I've grown very fond of her."
Crown Princess Mette-Marit still faces criticism from many Norwegians who haven't reconciled themselves to her admittedly wild past, her son born out of wedlock or her distinctly un-royal style. As one commentator put it recently, "people want glamour from their royalty. They're getting jeans and tennis shoes."
A recent poll showed that the popularity of the monarchy, especially the crown couple, continues to slide and some predict it won't last another generation. King Harald says he won't make any predictions.
"Society has changed and I hope we have the ability to change, too," he said. "We're trying, anyway. Others have to decide whether we succeed."
Tuesday's morning baptismal in the Royal Palace's chapel will be followed by an afternoon memorial service for King Olav in the chapel at the Akershus castle and fortress.
The royal family and assorted relatives will end the day with a gathering on board the royal yacht Norge.
On Friday, Queen Sonja will celebrate her 66th birthday. By then, the royal couple will have moved to their summer home at Maageroe, south of Toensberg.
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund
Royal Week in Norway
This week marks a string of royal celebrations, from a baptism to a memorial service to a birthday. Meanwhile, King Harald says he thinks his father, the late King Olav, would have embraced the royal family's controversial new members, especially Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Tuesday would have been King Olav's 100th birthday, and the royal family is using the occasion to baptize Princess Martha Louise's baby daughter, Maud Angelica.
King Harald, in an interview with VG, is also seizing the opportunity to try to pass some of the late king's popularity on to the next generation.
"If King Olav had the chance to get to know the crown princess, I'm sure he would have come to the same conclusion as I did," he told VG. "I've grown very fond of her."
Crown Princess Mette-Marit still faces criticism from many Norwegians who haven't reconciled themselves to her admittedly wild past, her son born out of wedlock or her distinctly un-royal style. As one commentator put it recently, "people want glamour from their royalty. They're getting jeans and tennis shoes."
A recent poll showed that the popularity of the monarchy, especially the crown couple, continues to slide and some predict it won't last another generation. King Harald says he won't make any predictions.
"Society has changed and I hope we have the ability to change, too," he said. "We're trying, anyway. Others have to decide whether we succeed."
Tuesday's morning baptismal in the Royal Palace's chapel will be followed by an afternoon memorial service for King Olav in the chapel at the Akershus castle and fortress.
The royal family and assorted relatives will end the day with a gathering on board the royal yacht Norge.
On Friday, Queen Sonja will celebrate her 66th birthday. By then, the royal couple will have moved to their summer home at Maageroe, south of Toensberg.
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund