Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: Official Visit to Norway - February 1-2, 2018

[Mbruno]

ALL the visits undertaken by the Cambridge's last year in Europe were OPENLY part of a 'charm offensive' ordained by the Foreign Office in the light of our decision to leave the EU.. NOTHING 'hidden' about it whatsoever..

Yes, but this Scandinavian tour is different in the sense that the official line from the Palace is that the goal of the tour is for the Cambridges to connect with "other young royals". They even made a point, as Royal Norway reminded us, of not scheduling any meeting between the Cambridges and local politicians or government officials, which is not what happened in France, Poland and Germany for example. So, if this official visit has anything to do with Brexit, the Palace is sure trying to hide it or play it down.

The odd part is that the Brits are depicting it almost as a private tour to get to know the Swedish and Norwegian Crown couples and share common interests with them, when technically the Cambridges are officially representing the British government, which is how the Swedish government is treating the tour.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I can't help noticing the differences in the Swedish and Norwegian programs.

• In Sweden: staying at the British ambassador's residence, lunch with the King and Queen, and no local TV coverage.
• In Norway: staying as guests at the Royal Palace, official dinner with the King and Queen, and lots of local TV coverage.

Is it only my impression or the Swedes in particular are downplaying this official visit ?

I wrote this in post 9:

Some facts about protocols when it comes to royal official visits to Scandinavia:

The Scandinavian official visit of Charles and Camilla in 2012 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of QEII:

1. When Charles and Camilla visited Norway, the King and Queen participated in all events.

2. When they visited Sweden, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia also participated in most of the events.

3. But that was not the case when they visited Denmark. There, QMII gave a black tie dinner while the CP couple participated in the other events.

The Danish CP couple's Business Visit to Sweden in 2017 - described by the Swedish court as an official visit:

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia gave a Luncheon while the CP couple participated in the other events.

What does this tell us?

1. That Charles and Camilla get to be accompanied by the monarch/consort in Norway and Sweden, but not in Denmark.

2. That the Danish CP couple didn't get to be accompanied by the monarch/consort in Sweden (although they are at the same rank as Charles and Camilla). And yes, that could of course have somthing to do with the fact that Charles and Camilla are closer in age to King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

I think this proves that the Swedes are not downplaying this visit:

No engagements or official dinner with King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia (with the exception of a Luncheon) for the Danish CP couple either, and they are of higher rank than the Cambridges.

Charles and Camilla on the other hand, were accompanied by King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia during most of their events (and there even was a private dinner for them at Drottningholm), and they are of the same rank as the Danish CP couple.

Why are the Cambridges received differently in Norway?

1. I think that has a bit to do with the King's personality.

2. It happened for Charles in 2012, and I'm sure the same had happened if the Danish/Swedish CP couples had come for an official visits.

3. The same had also happened (I think) to WA and Maxima, Philippe and Mathilde and Felipe and Letizia while they were still CP-couples.

Why is the Norwegian TV-coverage of the Cambridge visit that extensive? Because the BRF (or the A team among royals in the world (as the Norwegian media calls them) is the most prestigious and well known royal family in the world. - And the coverage was equally extensive for Charles and Camilla in 2012 and for QEII's state visit in 2001).

Other visits that has been covered extensively since 2000:

Obama. - On the same scale as the Cambridge visit.

State visits since 2000:

Pre - 2007: Nothing (not even the state visits from Japan in 2005 or Spain in 2006), with the exception of some clips on the ordinary television news.

2007 - present: The procession and speeches during gala dinners is always sent live on TV2 News Channel (launched in January 2007). Other events during state visits is not covered, with the exception of those from Russia and the Netherlands in April and June 2010, when NRK2 and TV2 News Channel sent the arrival of Dmitrij Medvedev and Queen Beatrix live.

 

[akina21]

Haakon and Mette Marit attended Charles and Camilla's wedding . That was pre Kate obviously but I doubt that William has never met them .

 

[LadyFinn]

Yes, but this Scandinavian tour is different in the sense that the official line from the Palace is that the goal of the tour is for the Cambridges to connect with "other young royals". They even made a point, as Royal Norway reminded us, of not scheduling any meeting between the Cambridges and local politicians or government officials, which is not what happened in France, Poland and Germany for example. So, if this official visit has anything to do with Brexit, the Palace is sure trying to hide it or play it down.

The odd part is that the Brits are depicting it almost as a private tour to get to know the Swedish and Norwegian Crown couples and share common interests with them, when technically the Cambridges are officially representing the British government, which is how the Swedish government is treating the tour.

The Royal House of Sweden makes at their press release very clear, how they see the visit "On 30-31 January 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make an official visit to Sweden on behalf of the British Government".

 

[Skippyboo]

Haakon and Mette Marit attended Charles and Camilla's wedding . That was pre Kate obviously but I doubt that William has never met them .

Actually Charles and Camilla’s wedding wasn’t pre Kate. Her and William were already dating then. William, Kate and the CP couple were all at the reception at BP the Queen hosted opening day of London 2012.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Photo galleries from NTB Scanpix of the most important visits from the UK to Norway during QEII's reign:

QEII's state visit to Norway (24–26 June) in 1955 - 35 photos:
Dronning Elizabeth på statsbesøk i Norge 1955

QEII's official family visit to Norway in August 1969 - 61 photos:
Dronning Elizabeth besøker Norge i 1969

QEII's state visit to Norway (5–8 May) in 1981 - 38 photos:
Dronning Elizabeth II på statsbesøk i Norge 1981

QEII's state visit to Norway (30 May – 1 June) in 2001 - 207 photos:
Dronning Elizabeth II på statsbesøk i Norge 2001

Look at this famous photo of the then Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby curtsying to QEII:
https://scanpix.no/spWebApp/preview/editorial/sp10c997

Charles and Camilla's official visit to Norway (20 – 22 March) in 2012 - 147 photos:
Charles og Camilla besøker Norge besøker Norge i 2012:

There have also been other visits. - Here are two of them:

Diana's visit (11 – 12 February) in 1984 to attend a performance of Carmen by The London City Ballet - 17 photos:
Diana besøker Norge i 1984

Charles's visit (26 – 27 May) in 2010 to attend the Oslo Climate and Forest Conference - 18 photos:
Charles besøker Norge i 2010:

 

[Nico]

the Norwegians are "part of the family" , literally actually. I think it's quite normal to see a somewhat special treatment for the "Bristish cousins"...
But the relations between the Swedes and the BRF seem excellent as well, we know that Queen Silvia made at least one private visit to Highgrove ...

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Are Norway ready for the Cambridges? Yes, we are.

From the Royal House calendar:

February 1th:
Their Majesties The King and Queen host the official visit from Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 1 - 2 February.

Their Majesties The King and Queen welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (The Royal Palace, 12:45).

Her Majesty The Queen and Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra accompany Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a walk in Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Sculpture Park. Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will also be in attendance (The Palace Park, 15:00).

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess accompany His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge on a visit to MESH (Oslo, 16:00).

Their Majesties The King and Queen host a dinner in honour of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise and Her Highness Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner will also be in attendance (19:45).

February 2th:
Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess accompany Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a visit to Hartvig Nissen Upper Secondary School and a meeting with students and the cast of SKAM (10:10).

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess accompany Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a visit to the Ski Museum and the Holmenkollen Ski Arena (14.00).

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess accompany Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Øvresetertjern (Øvreseter lake) for out-door activities with children and kindergarten visit (14:45).

As you can see, Kate will not attend MESH (a co-working space for entrepreneurs and start-up companies to grow their businesses and thrive in a creative environment). - Why? Due to her pregnancy.

As you also can see, HM the King will not attend the Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Sculpture Park event. - Why? We don't know, but he hasn't been that well lately.

Read more about the program in post 1.

Television Coverage:
February 1th:
NRK2 will send live from 11:30 to 17:00 (10:30 to 16:00 British time) and from 19:30 to 20:30 (18:30 to 19:30 British time).

February 2th:
NRK2 will send live from 10:00 to 17:00 (09:00 to 16:00 British time).

TV2 News Channel will also send live from all the events.

I will post live links later (if not others do it before me).

Read more about the television coverage in post 2 and 16.

Articles:
Article from TV2's royal expert Kjell Arne Totland with google translation:
Welcome to Norway! - translation

Article from NRK with google translation:
Her kan du lettest treffe prins William og hertuginne Kate - translation

And interesting NRK article with video of QEII's state visit to Norway in 1955 with google translation and a quote translated by me:
Tette band mellom kongehusa i Noreg og Storbritannia - translation

Looser ties today

After King Olav died in 1991, the ties between the royal houses in Norway and the UK have not been as close. One thing is that the kinship ties becomes more distant, but author Bomann-Larsen also draws up the Second World War as a cause.

''While his father lived a large part of his childhood in England, King Harald became stronger linked with the United States through his American war exile''.

This article is written in Nynorsk, which means that the google translation is poorer than usual.

 

[Countessmeout]

Its great to see Ingrid Alexandra involved in the tour, and just greeting them. Fitting since they will be touring the sculptural garden named for her. Great to see her escorting her grandmother, when her grandfather isn't there. She seems to have such a close relationship with them both.

Thanks as always for your great information

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

You're very welcome:

Live link from NRK:
NRK LIVE

Live link from TV2 News Channel:
TV2 LIVE

Live link from VG:
VG LIVE

Royal Center's Norwegian correspondent Oskar Aanmoen reports on twitter throughout the day:
https://twitter.com/OAanmoen

I will have live coverage of some of the events (especially the dinner this evening).

Edit: The plane has landed.

Edit: The Cambridges is received by the CP couple:

Edit: The CP couple and the Cambridges are on their way from the airport to the palace in Norwegian state cars.

Edit: There are other news on NRK, but the coverage will be back when they arrive (the same goes for TV2).

 

[iceflower]

.

Here's a first article about the arrival:


** dailymail: Adjö Sweden, hallo Norway! Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are met by Crown Prince Hakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit..**


And some first galleries:


** rex gallery **


** gettyimages/zimbio gallery: The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Visit Sweden And Norway - Day 3 **

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks iceflower!

Live link from NRK:
NRK LIVE

Live link from TV2 News Channel:
TV2 LIVE

Live link from VG:
VG LIVE

Royal Center's Norwegian correspondent Oskar Aanmoen reports on twitter throughout the day:
https://twitter.com/OAanmoen

I will have live coverage of some of the events (especially the dinner this evening).

Edit: The plane has landed.

Edit: The Cambridges is received by the CP couple:

Edit: The CP couple and the Cambridges are on their way from the airport to the palace in Norwegian state cars.

Edit: There are other news on NRK, but the coverage will be back when they arrive (the same goes for TV2).

Edit: They will arrive at the palace shortly.

Edit: NRK is back at the palace:

Edit: The King's guard is standing on parade (they are waiting like the rest of us).

Edit: NRK talks about the future of the British monarchy and brexit.

Edit: Video of the Cambridges being received by the CP couple at the airport:
NRK VIDEO

Edit: They talks to British tourists in Norway.

Edit: TV2 is also back on air with royal expert Kjell Arne Totland.

Edit: They arrives at the palace (the guard is playing).

 

[Pranter]

Maybe I missed it...but I notice that there are no bows/curtseys to either Daniel/Victoria or to Haakon and Metit-Marit? Aren't they both ranking above the Cambridges who are 'merely' heirs to the heir?


LaRae

 

[W.Y.CII]

Normally the royals just bow/curtsy to King and Queen.

Thank ROYAL NORWAY for the information and update!

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

You're very welcome!

There was never going to be any bows/curtseys for the CP couples.
They will do it so to the King and Queen, but we wont see that.

There will now be a private tour and luncheon inside the palace. - They will come out again at 15:00 (14:00 British time) with the Queen, Princess Ingrid and the CP couple (see more information in post 38).

 

[Marchesina]

Maybe I missed it...but I notice that there are no bows/curtseys to either Daniel/Victoria or to Haakon and Metit-Marit? Aren't they both ranking above the Cambridges who are 'merely' heirs to the heir?


LaRae

What matters is the style rather than the ranking. The ducal couple and the Crown Princely couples all have the HRH style, so they are considered peers.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Live pictures on NRK now by HM the King (my favourite guy) and the Queen, the CP couple, Princess Märtha Louise, Princess Astrid and the Cambridges in The Bird Room at the royal palace.

Edit: One of the photos:
https://gfx.nrk.no/w__HUY_vO9jNkerTmX_0TQb9T5Y2UDm4-5CHP25UtRyQ

Edit: 3 more photos:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DU85HBIX0AEPgEy.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DU85HBQWsAEBlbE.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DU85HBQWAAEoPYo.jpg

Edit: Photos from the court - The Cambridges are welcomed to the palace by HM the King:
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=0d8123aeebc5ef2ce15db004ddfc8325&oe=5B22E5E2
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=73de4fabd94875776290cc5a3d111f6e&oe=5B1F1F56

Edit: I wrote this in post 19, and (big surprise) I was right.

The TV Coverage: What will the Norwegian commentators talk about during the visit? Brexit (a lot of it), QEII, Diana, the future of the British monarchy and the ridiculous ''Could the throne go to William, Skipping Prince Charles'' thing.

Edit:
The NRK Coverage:
Wery pro-Diana/Cambridges, but very anti-Charles.
Diana documentary on NRK2 when The Cambridges was inside the palace.

The TV2 Coverage:
Very pro-Cambridges, not anything on Charles/Diana at all.

Edit: They will come out shortly.

Edit: Watch the live links in post 42.

Edit: The Queen, the CP couple, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and the Cambridges walks out from the palace now.
The Queen and Ingrid will accompany the Cambridges on a walk in Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Sculpture Park.

Edit: The Queen and Ingrid arm in arm.

Edit: The Cambridges on walkabout (unusual here in Norway).

Edit: The CP couple is holding hands (as usual).

Edit: We got this information from the court earlier today:

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess accompany His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge on a visit to MESH (Oslo, 16:00).

This has now been changed (according to TV2). - Kate will attend.

Edit: TV2 are impressed by the crowds.

Edit: TV2 is most interested in Ingrid (and she's really doing a good job).

Edit: They are walking into the palace.

Edit: They will now be heading to MESH (a co-working space for entrepreneurs and start-up companies to grow their businesses and thrive in a creative environment).

Edit: They are driving out of the palace now.

Edit: They arrive at the MESH.

Edit: NRK and TV2 have live pictures inside the MESH, so keep watching in the live links in post 42.

Edit: They are meeting the famous Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen.

Edit: Ignorant TV2 anchor ask their UK correspondent in London why it is William and not the Queen or Charles who is coming? Because Charles is unpopular, she said.

Edit: From a Charles perspective, the coverage has been ridiculous.

Edit: The NRK coverage will finish now and start again at 19:30 (18:30 British time).

Edit: Still live coverage on TV2 News Channel.

Edit: The CP couple and the Cambridges are on their way back to the palace.

 

[maria-olivia]

They will be later King and Queen of the next generation together with Queen Victoria and King/Prince Daniel.

 

[Mbruno]

What matters is the style rather than the ranking. The ducal couple and the Crown Princely couples all have the HRH style, so they are considered peers.

They normally bow/curtsy only to kings and queens. HRHs are now considered equal in rank, even if one is a crown prince and the other is only the second in line to the throne.

 

[Britters]

Quoting from the Telegraph article:

I am afraid the Brits may be trying too hard to forge a relationship or bond between the Cambridges and the Scandinavian CP couples, which doesn't exist as of today, and should have emerged naturally instead over the years.

I know Kate got on very well with the royals in Luxembourg and the Netherlands when she went there solo and was very charming. I am not so confident about William's social skills though, but I am looking forward to seeing how this Scandinavian tour will unfold.

This is interesting to me, as William has always struck me as the more outgoing, extroverted of the Royal Trio (I imagine Meghan might be a bit more so, now, but time will tell.) And very charming, just a little more serious, as his role requires frequently.

 

[Pranter]

I've never noticed at William lacking any social skills. Anytime I've seen him in the past several years he is very relaxed and interacts well with whomever he's engaged with.


LaRae

 

[polyesco]

It was very nice to see Ingrid Alexandra today!

taking part in a virtual tour

https://twitter.com/x/status/959096061267726336

Mesh

https://twitter.com/x/status/959094007069626369

the picture of William and Kate given as a gift
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DU9hhpaVMAE8SNR.jpg

 

[kathia_sophia]

Lovely start of the visit. I think Mette-Marit is a bit taller than Catherine. I've read somewhere that Mette-Marit is 1,80cm and Catherine is 1,77/1,78cm.
It was nice that Ingrid Alexandra was there to guide them through her park. So sweet! And she is so grown up! A truly lady!

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Video articles from NRK with google translations and quotes translated by me:
Dronning Sonja gav klar beskjed under fotograferinga: – Smile, be happy! - translation

Queen Sonja gave a clear message during the photography: - smile, be happy!
William and Kate waved to those present when they came to the palace where they were greeted by the Norwegian royal family. It's the start of a two-day long visit to Norway for the duke and duchess.

"Smile, be happy," said Queen Sonja, when they posed for official photos in the The Bird Room.

Hertuginne Kate: – Norge er fantastisk - translation

A large crowd met up in the palace park to get a glimpse of William and Kate. The royal guests obviously got a good first impression of Norway. "It's amazing here," said the duchess , while William would like to go skiing.

A poor 40 min Dagbladet video from the event in Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Sculpture Park:

 

[Mbruno]

Lovely start of the visit. I think Mette-Marit is a bit taller than Catherine. I've read somewhere that Mette-Marit is 1,80cm and Catherine is 1,77/1,78cm.
It was nice that Ingrid Alexandra was there to guide them through her park. So sweet! And she is so grown up! A truly lady!

Kate looks taller tham 1,78m to me.

 

[camelot23ca]

Warm welcomes all around in Norway!

Haakon and Mette Marit seem to have done a wonderful job with Ingrid Alexandra. I’ve always enjoyed seeing her participate in various events since she was small.. she’s always been cute but each time you see her she becomes more poised and today she was quite the professional young royal. Well done!

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Kate looks taller tham 1,78m to me.

Only with heels--she is not 5' 10." She usually wears 3-4 inch heels.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

The Official Black tie dinner at the Royal Palace for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge:

Live link from NRK:
NRK LIVE

Live link from TV2 News Channel:
TV2 LIVE

Live link from VG:
VG LIVE

Facts about royal dinners in Norway. - I wrote this in post 2:

Royal dinners at the Royal Palace in Oslo:

Gala dinners at the Royal Palace are always white tie events and is held for:

1. Milestone royal birthdays. The procession into the Banqueting Hall was televised by NRK1 durring the King and Queen's Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1993 and the 70th Birthday of the King in 2007 (their 60th birthdays was celebrated in Trondheim due to renovations at the palace). The greetings, procession and speeches was televised by NRK1 and TV2's main channel during the wedding in 2001 and by NRK1 and TV2 News Channel during the King and Queen's 80th Birthdays in 2017.

2. The MPs in the Storting (called the stortingsdinner) in October each year. The procession and speeches is always televised by TV2 News Channel (also by NRK2 in 2017).

3. Foreign ambassadors living in Oslo - every other year. Private, but the procession was filmed by NTB (Norsk Telegrambyrå/Norwegian News Agency) in 2016.

4. Foreign heads of states during state visits. The procession and speeches is always televised by TV2 News Channel.

Official dinners at the Royal Palace are always black tie and is held for:

1. Royals (usually not the monarch).

2. Heads of States who are not on a state visits.

I have edited this post from the ''Annual Gala for Stortinget'' thread in October:
The guests will be greeted by the King and Queen, the CP couple, Princess Märtha Louise, Princess Astrid and the Cambridges in Speilsalen (the Music Hall) - photo of the room:
https://dbstatic.no/64220719.jpg?imageId=64220719&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=1024&height=683

They will then walk into the Smal Dining Room - photos of the room:
https://dbstatic.no/64220751.jpg?imageId=64220751&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=1024&height=683
http://www.royalcourt.no/aim/kongeh...33fe.jpg/Scale?geometry=375x>&Set:quality=100

They will then walk into the Smal Ballroom - photo of the room:
https://dbstatic.no/64220690.jpg?imageId=64220690&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=1024&height=683

They will then walk into the The Great Ballroom - photos of the room:
https://dbstatic.no/64220702.jpg?imageId=64220702&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=1024&height=683
http://www.royalcourt.no/aim/kongeh...f8ce.jpg/Scale?geometry=375x>&Set:quality=100

They will then walk into the Banqueting Hall - photo of the room:
https://dbstatic.no/64220705.jpg?imageId=64220705&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=1024&height=685

Live Coverage from me:

Edit: There will be round tables in the Banqueting Hall.

Edit: We are waiting for live pictures from inside palace. We are waiting for live pictures from inside the palace.

Edit: We are live from the inside the palace.

Edit: Watch it on TV2 (the best coverage as usual).

Edit: The dinner will be attended by members of government, leaders in business and those from the Norwegian creative industries. There will also be serving members and veterans from the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Edit: Politicians and culture personalities are walking through the beautiful rooms.

Edit: I really look forward to the King's speech.

Edit: Photo:
https://gfx.nrk.no/AFjJ7I-OxYtOh7Zb4ZCVDwS-PEODYLb0-N02wCIFy9AA

Edit: The Prime Minister arrives.

 

[polyesco]

Martha Louise shares a picture of her getting ready for the dinner
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeqgZwilFZW/?taken-by=martha_louise123

 

[wyevale]

ALL manner of sartorial 'turnouts' this evening.. from White Tie, to some bloke who swaggered in in dodgy brown Loafers and an open collar...