General News and Information for the Norwegian Royal Family: 2003 -

[maria-olivia]

The Crown Princess seems in good health after the alarming news of last year

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

Well, interest in The RF has gone from great to greater here in recent years, something the TV-companies of course know how to exploit.

Have you got any speculations on the reasons that has happened? In any event, it demonstrates that the people are not merely interested in royal weddings or births, which is a positive thing for the monarchy.

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

- Because NRK (the state-owned Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, which is the largest media organisation in Norway) is now in the production-fase of their new eight-episode series, ''Atlantic Crossing,'' which is about Crown Princess Märtha's WWII-efforts during her stay in The US with her 3 children - and her enigmatic relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Eya, BTW, wrote a bit about it in The Electronic Domain, back in November.)
The series is a co-production with DR (The Danish Broadcasting Corporation) and SVT (Sweden's Television), and will be shown on both Norwegian, Danish and Swedish TV-channels in 2021 or 2022. - And is already being described as one of the biggest TV-productions in Scandinavian history.

Cast: CP Märtha will be played by Sofia Helin (English Wikipedia-link), Roosevelt by Kyle MacLachlan (English Wikipedia-link) and CP Olav by Tobias Santelmann (English Wikipedia-link).

Very little information about the series in English, but found this site (link).

And be aware that the Norwegian name is: ''Alt for Norge'' (All for Norway), which has been the royal motto of Norwegian monarchs, since 1905.

Interesting; the Swedish kings adopt a new motto when ascending the throne. I wonder if King Harald will comment on the series depicting his beloved mother.

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

While the Scandinavian entertainment company, Nordic Film, together with the commercial TV2 Group (Norway's second largest media company) is planning a series about King Haakon VII (known to almost everyone here as The King who said NO to Hitler).
It will start from when he as Prince Carl of Denmark was elected King of Norway in 1905 - and last until his death in 1957 as ''King Haakon the Great'' (which the VG-newspaper described him as on their front page, at the time).
The series will cost around 100 million NOK and is scheduled to be aired in 2022. It will most likely be bought by Danish TV2 and Swedish TV4 as well.

I would have liked them to delve into his experiences as Prince Carl of Denmark (didn't he witness his classmate's tragic death at the time he was a cadet, or something in that vein?), but that is good news.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Have you got any speculations on the reasons that has happened? In any event, it demonstrates that the people are not merely interested in royal weddings or births, which is a positive thing for the monarchy.

The King's increasing (although always very high) personal popularity, which is due to more and more focus on his warm and charismatic personality and his unifying and widely praised speeches (most of which he writes himself with some help from his private secretary, theologian, Knut Brakstad), his handling of the July 22nd attacks in 2011 and his visits to crisis-areas in Norway (such as, places hit by storms, floods and fires).
Although, the large-scale celebrations of The Silver Jubilee in 2016, the 80th Birthdays in 2017 and the Golden Wedding Anniversary last year, is also a factor, I think.

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Interesting; the Swedish kings adopt a new motto when ascending the throne.

Although they could have chosen their own mottos, both King Olav and King Harald have said that they, as King Haakon, sees the phrase ''Alt for Norge'' (All for Norway) as essential to their reigns.

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I wonder if King Harald will comment on the series depicting his beloved mother.

He did comment on the 2016-film about his grandfather, The King's Choice (English Wikipedia link). So, if he's asked about it, then I think he will.

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I would have liked them to delve into his experiences as Prince Carl of Denmark.

Well, in the NRK article I read (link), it was stated that the series, which is inspired by the Netflix drama The Crown and based on the reliable/serious Royal Author, Tor Bomann-Larsen's book-series about King Haakon and Queen Maud: ''Skal følge Haakons liv fra han som dansk prins hentes som konge til Norge og helt til hans død.'' (''Will follow Haakon's life from he as a Danish prince is brought to Norway as king and until his death.'')
However, in an Aftenposten article (which one must have a subscription to read), producer Aage Aaberge in Nordic Film said that: ''TV-serien begynner når kong Haakon ennå er en ung ugift prins og sjøkadett i dansk tjeneste.'' (''The TV series begins when King Haakon is still a young unmarried prince and sea cadet in Danish service.'')

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Didn't he witness his classmate's tragic death at the time he was a cadet, or something in that vein?

Yes, he was the only witness when one of his co-cadets, Kai Simonsen, committed suicide in 1891.
And there were actually some rumors that they had a sexual relationship and that it was Prince Carl who shot him, something Norwegian Prime Minister, Christian Michelsen denied during a meeting in The Storting in October 1905, just a month before Norway had a new king with the name of Haakon VII.

So, expect both this and author, Bomann-Larsen's controversial hypothesis that ''King Olav is not the son of King Haakon'' to be themes of the series, which BTW will have the name ''Vintertronen'' (The Winter Throne).

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Well, according to TV2's Royal Expert, Kjell Arne Totland, The State Flag is flying over The Royal Palace (link). - Which means that both monarch and heir are out of the country.

Read about why here: Norwegian Royal flag-rules - English Royal House article.

And to those wondering why they are overseas? Hmm, probably because The Regent-Couple and The CP-Family (either together or separately) are on winter-holiday (week-long school-holiday).

Another thing to mention is the fact that Their Majesties now usually take some days abroad recharging their batteries before official overseas visits, such as spending five days in Seefeld, Austria to attend The Nordic World Ski Championships from February 25th.

Märtha OTOH (as one can see from her own thread) is home in Norway, where she flies from one television-studio to another talking about horses, her ''high-sensitivity'' and angels. - Most recently today, when she was a guest in TV2's breakfast show ''God Morgen Norge'' (God Morning Norway).

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

The King's increasing (although always very high) personal popularity, which is due to more and more focus on his warm and charismatic personality and his unifying and widely praised speeches (most of which he writes himself with some help from his private secretary, theologian, Knut Brakstad), his handling of the July 22nd attacks in 2011 and his visits to crisis-areas in Norway (such as, places hit by storms, floods and fires).
Although, the large-scale celebrations of The Silver Jubilee in 2016, the 80th Birthdays in 2017 and the Golden Wedding Anniversary last year, is also a factor, I think.

Thanks! The decision that the two series will not premiere until 2022 speaks to the producers' confidence that King Harald can be relied on to uphold the popularity of the monarchy for the foreseeable future.

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

Yes, he was the only witness when one of his co-cadets, Kai Simonsen, committed suicide in 1891.
And there were actually some rumors that they had a sexual relationship and that it was Prince Carl who shot him, something Norwegian Prime Minister, Christian Michelsen denied during a meeting in The Storting in October 1905, just a month before Norway had a new king with the name of Haakon VII.

So, expect both this and author, Bomann-Larsen's controversial hypothesis that ''King Olav is not the son of King Haakon'' to be themes of the series, which BTW will have the name ''Vintertronen'' (The Winter Throne).

That would be interesting, but I wonder if it is likely. With the validity of both theories disputed, and the stories apparently not being widespread in King Haakon's lifetime, one imagines that incorporating them into the script of a biopic series would meet with some difficulties.

[eya]

A lovely picture of the Royal Family for the Birthday of the King today!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJ8Jvohmbj/


"Dear dad, grandfather and father-in-law. We are all so infinitely happy in you. Your humor, your closeness, your interest in life are contagious and we always look forward to every second we are together. Happy Birthday!"

[HereditaryPrincess]

So lovely to see Harald with all his family! I hope he's been having a great birthday.

[Lyonnaise]

Originally Posted by eya

A lovely picture of the Royal Family for the Birthday of the King today!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJ8Jvohmbj/


"Dear dad, grandfather and father-in-law. We are all so infinitely happy in you. Your humor, your closeness, your interest in life are contagious and we always look forward to every second we are together. Happy Birthday!"

For transparency: the photo is from August 2018 in Svalbard. RoyalNorway mentioned above that the King/Queen and CP families are out of the country, though we don't know if they're together or not.

I thought Harald invited everyone to South Africa last year. Maybe they're there again—though, M-L went last year and she seems to still be in Norway this year.

[camelot23ca]

Harald does seem like he’d be a good humoured, loving father and a doting grandfather. He physically resembles my own grandfather a little so I may be biased.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by eya

A lovely picture of the Royal Family for the Birthday of the King today!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJ8Jvohmbj/


"Dear dad, grandfather and father-in-law. We are all so infinitely happy in you. Your humor, your closeness, your interest in life are contagious and we always look forward to every second we are together. Happy Birthday!"

They look like a random family - with an overrepresentation of women/girls

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Somebody

They look like a random family - with an overrepresentation of women/girls

Something they have in common with the Dutch royal family. Sverre and Claus could share stories of being the only grandson surrounded by girls

Nice family photo, even if an older one.

[ladongas]

Looks like Haakon has on some metallic, coppery-colored shoes. Is this even possible?

[Curryong]

Perhaps someone's thrown the ratty brown pair Haakon almost invariably wears with everything away!

[M. Payton]

I have always liked King Harold, he reminds me of a lovable giant teddy bear who gives great hugs. Wishing him a joyous Birthday and many more to come!

[eya]

A lovely old picture (i love them) posted Princess Martha Louise:

"My brother and I boating with our wonderful nanny Berit, my doll Ruth, dad and grandad. #1980"

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuenVUDBeK2/

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Thanks! The decision that the two series will not premiere until 2022 speaks to the producers' confidence that King Harald can be relied on to uphold the popularity of the monarchy for the foreseeable future.

Although The King's personal popularity has been important (especially when it comes to interest in the royal family, which was what we discussed above), the monarchy as an institution is (according to polls) popular in itself, mainly due to the fact that a large majority of people would never choose a devisive politician as an apolitical/political president instead of an apolitical constitutional monarch. And despite the ''somewhat'' justified media-criticism of The CP-Couple (at least IMO) which has led to a dip in their personal popularity, I am now pretty sure that the public support for the monarchy will continue also under King Haakon VIII.

Especially when you take the political environment here into account. I mean in just a year, five MPs have had to withdraw from their party-positions, due to stuff ranging from sharing of sensitive information, sexual harassment, false bills and spreading of pornography to minors. And that's just in addition to the stuff mentioned in the constitutional thread through 2018. I.e. the drama that led to the resignations of government-ministers, Listhaug & Sandberg and Olemic Thommessen as President of The Storting (or The ''Scandalting'' as it's now referred to in the media).

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

That would be interesting, but I wonder if it is likely. With the validity of both theories disputed, and the stories apparently not being widespread in King Haakon's lifetime, one imagines that incorporating them into the script of a biopic series would meet with some difficulties.

Pretty likely, since producer Aage Aaberge has said: ''Jeg er ikke bekymret for å lage en serie som inneholder slike påstander'' (I'm not worried about making a series containing such claims).

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Originally Posted by Lyonnaise

RoyalNorway mentioned above that the King/Queen and CP families are out of the country, though we don't know if they're together or not.

We now know (at least according to TV2's reliable Royal Expert, Kjell Arne Totland) that they were on separate holidays, though we don't know where.

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Originally Posted by Lyonnaise

I thought Harald invited everyone to South Africa last year. Maybe they're there again—though, M-L went last year and she seems to still be in Norway this year.

That was in February 2017, to celebrate The King's 80th Birthday!

[eya]

Happy Birthday from Martha Louise to her mother!


https://www.instagram.com/p/BzfkOjtBSh8/

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Been several Norwegian royal stories in the media here (both before and under my now 5-week holiday) which I didn't have time to write about, including stuff regarding The Crown Princess's health, everything Märtha, The Regent-Couple's holiday and a story about Marius' dog (yes, I said dog). Well, will try to write about both that and give you some updates about *Ingrid's confirmation* in the coming days (an event I will have full coverage of).

But now to something very sad that has sent shockwaves over the Norwegian media and the palace.
Because as some of you may know from various news-outlets in Norway and twitter: TV2's Royal Expert/commentator, the ''highly renowned, very knowledgeable, detail-oriented and irreplaceable'' Kjell Arne Totland has died at the age of 74 following a short illness.

About him: Short explained, he was a teacher in his home city Bergen who had become interested in royalty after having read books and magazines for his royal-mad mother when she was severely ill. And when he sent letters upon letters to the Norwegian rag-mag Se og Hør during the late 1980s to complain about errors in their royal coverage, it resulted in him (after having turned it down more than once) being offered a job as their royal editor in 1991, the year The King acceded to the throne. And was until he wanted more freedom to comment on TV and stuff in 2011, the only reliable person there.

But after having commented on royal stuff for NRK, TV2 and several newspapers, TV2 managed to convince him in 2013 to enter into an exclusive contract with them as their ''kongehusekspert på alle kanalens programflater og plattformer'' (royal house expert on all the channel's program-surfaces and platforms). - To the disappointment of NRK, which also wanted him.

And that was the start of seven years of which we have never seen anything like in other monarchies when it comes to royal experts/commentators. Yes, he would often appear several times a week on TV2 News Channel and News-shows on their main channel TV2 to explain/comment on day-to-day royal engagements and large-scale events such as The King's Silver/Consecration Jubilee celebrations in 2016, The Regent-Couple's 80th Birthday celebrations in 2017, The Regent-Couple's Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations in 2018 and various royal events abroad, where he annoyingly spoke the whole time, also over the music. LOL. I.e. about history, architecture of the various palaces, popularity of the various monarchies, orders, uniforms, military-displays, jewellery, dresses, shoes, etc, etc. And to those familiar with Danish media, well, he was a mixture of Christian Eugen-Olsen (former master of ceremonies at the Danish court, now royal commentator/expert), Trine Larsen (royal reporter at BILLED-BLADET) and Ulla Terkelsen (foreign correspondent and commentator/expert of royal events on TV2dk). - Or as he has been called here, royal journalism's own David Attenborough.
And when asked about his job in an interview a few years ago, he said he 'felt ''privileged'' to be able to live off his hobby.

Another thing to mention is that he's probably the person besides The King (as someone said it the other day) who is most responsible for the monarchy's record-high support in the polls over the past 5 years.
How? Because he was the monarchy and the NRF's BIGGEST supporter and would constantly praise them (and the institution) like no other (especially The King). And since he (to my knowledge) never was in any serious relationship, they simply became the most important thing in his life, together with his late sister and her two sons with their families. Although it should be said that he has never had any problem voicing his opinion when there was something he didn't agree with. - Including Märtha's commercial use of her princess-title, which he has been ''highly critical'' of for years.
And he always respected those who didn't agree with him when it came to his stance on the monarchy.

Death: He kept it going to the full until early May when he suddenly stopped appearing on the TV-screen, being absent during the media-storm regarding Märtha, the May 17th celebrations and The Regent-Couple's annual county-visit in June. But he kept it going with giving written comments to both TV2 and other news-outlets and reassured people in private messaging on twitter that everything was fine and that he would be back for Ingrid's confirmation in August. And although he was his usual positive self, it became clear to me (through my emailing with him, where we discussed royal stuff) that he wasn't on what I will describe as ''top form physically.'' And when he stopped being active on twitter on August 3rd, I became quite worried, since he is ALWAYS there!
But nevertheless, when NRK announced on the radio last Wednesday that he had died during the night, I nearly crashed my car in shock.

Coverage: Well, the tributes started pouring in from his bosses and colleagues, and every outlet had it as their main story. - While his two nephews talked about his kindness to them and how proud they were of him.
And yes, the RF have sent their condolences.

And on an endnote: Well, I must say that I'm still quite shocked and sad over it, and the thought of not seeing/hearing that friendly, gentle, helpful and sweet man again who answered everyone who wanted to know about royalty, posed for selfies with children, teenagers and adults all the time is just beyond belief.

BTW: Here one can see a few videos of some of his several hundred appearances on TV2 (link).
And here one can read his royal blog, where he was active until March, when he started having some technical problems with it (link).

Article from TV2 about his death (link). - Some quotes translated by me:
CEO and Chief Editor of TV2 said: ''Kjell Arne had a living commitment for this area. Few if anyone had the same expertise as him. It included both the long lines and major events, but also small details that he highlighted and which made him many followers in this area in Norway.
Kjell Arne quickly became an authority in this area. He had a living commitment for this - and as late as this summer, when he lay ill, he tipped us about things we should cover.
There are many who are interested in the monarchy and it is an important part of our history and of our present day. With Kjell Arne's passing, we lose a huge resource within this area.''

Article from VG (link), where one can read how he became (as they put it) ''hele Norges Kjell Arne'' (the whole of Norway's Kjell Arne).

Royal Central article in English (link).

[Muhler]

Welcome back, Royal Norway.

That was an obituary many can only dream about.

- But, we must not forget Marius' dog.
The world is eagerly awaiting your report.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks!

Yes, will write about it in the coming week.

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Follow-up on Kjell Arne Totland:
Well, the NRF/monarchy have lost their biggest supporter in the media while the media itself have lost their go-to guy for all things royal - plus the one with the closest relations to the court.

And now to the obvious question, who will replace him as TV2's Royal expert/commentator?

First, let's go through my favoured candidates:
*Anne Fredrikstad (born 1969). TV2's Royal Correspondent/expert 1999-2017.
However, she merely became a royal reporter after Totland joined the channel in 2013, leaving TV2 4-years later to work with winemaking. - But she has stepped in for him this summer and is, IMO, the most likely choice.
Very reliable/serious and pretty pro-monarchy in her style, but way more balanced than Kjell Arne.

*Caroline Vagle (in her 30s, I think). Se og Hør's Royal Correspondent/expert since 2010.
Trained by Kjell Arne and seems pretty reliable. And in addition to being very pro-monarchy in her style, she is also a royal-fan. - Which is a good thing I think, since it automatically makes her more interested in what she is reporting/writing about.
But that being said, she may at times seem a bit too uncritical, at least when it comes to my taste.

*TV2 can also talk to the two royal historians/authors, the pro-monarchy Tor Bomann-Larsen (born 1951) and Trond Norén Isaksen (born 1981). The latter BTW is not a constitutional monarchist by principle, but believes the monarchy is the best solution for Norway. And with ''talk to'' I mean try to convince one of them to enter into an *exclusive contract* with TV2 (similar to the one Totland had), so they can still be free to give comments to other outlets.

*We also have some reporters at NRK and VG who have worked quite a lot with royal coverage; plus two serious royal bloggers; or the former Royal Correspondent/expert at NTB (The Norwegian News Agency) Wibecke Lie (born 1942, so it might be a bit too much for her to start appearing on TV several times a week); and Kristi Marie Skrede (in her late 40s/early 50s), but she seems quite happy being Royal Correspondent/commentator/expert on NRK.

And then to my least favoured:
Hmm, when I think about it, it's only one: Yes, Anders Johan Stavseng (born 1977). Royal reporter/expert at Se og Hør since 2001.
Although very pro-monarchy in his style, he never sticks to facts; and according to himself, ''elsker britiske tabloid-titler med krasse og morsomme ordspill.'' (''Loves British tabloid titles with crass and funny wordplays.'')

But does TV2 need their own royal expert/commentator, can't they just invite others to the studio? Well, technically, yes! But there is tradition here that the main two television stations have their own go-to guy/woman for everything royal.
And much easier that way, especially if something unexpected happens and they need to talk to an expert quite quickly.