State visit from Italy, September 2004

[Mandy]

Picture #1) 2004-09-21: H.E. Den italienske Republikks President Carlo Ciampi og hans hustru Franca Ciampi avlegger statsbesøk til Norge.De ble møtt på slottet av Kong Harald,Dronning Sonja,H.K.H. Kronprins Haakon, H.K.H. Kronprinsesse Mette-Marit og Prinsesse Astrid, fru Ferner. ANB Picture

Picture #2) 2004-09-21:H.E. Den italienske Republikks President Carlo Ciampi og hans hustru Franca Ciampi avlegger statsbesøk til Norge.Dronning Sonja og Kong Harald ved gavebordet. ANB Picture

[mybags]

My goodness, Franka Ciampi is short isn't she?

[mybags]

From Getty Images:

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by mybags

My goodness, Franka Ciampi is short isn't she?

I think it's extra evident next to King Harald. I mean, you wouldn't notice it the same way if she was standing just beside Sonja.

[Dennism]

More from VG:

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[Mandy]

Thanks for the pictures Dennism. Both Sonja and Mette-Marit are wearing new dresses at the gala. Very lovely!

[Dennism]

You´re welcome. They are indeed lovely.

[Alisa]

Beautiful! Both ladies look incredibly lovely and incredibly regal! :)

[lucys]

Great photos. I really like the tiara Mette-Marit is wearing. Thanks for posting.

[Alexandria]

Thanks for the pictures!

During the welcoming of the Italian president and his wife I thought that Queen Sonja looked wonderful. The light blue jacket with the black belt and skirt and hat ... the Queen was a delight. Mette-Marit however looked like she was heading for a funeral. And the hat was dreadful, I thought.

But the Queen looked radiant in her red gala dress and Mette-Marit redeemed herself in my eyes in the bright pink gown. (Didn't I say yesterday that fuschia is always the way to my heart?!)

[ILoveCristina]

I din't like the black suit Mette Marit wore!! But she looked lovely at the Gala, as well and Queen Sonja!

[Mandy]

September 22, 2004 - Reception for the Italian President and his wife.
ANB Pictures.

[Mandy]

Polfoto 21-09-2004: Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, center, and Norwegian King Harald review the Royal Guard outside the Norwegian Royal Palace in Oslo, after Ciampi's arrival for a state visit to Norway, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Bjoern Sigurdsoen/SCANPIX)

Polfoto 21-09-2004 Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, right, and his wife Franca Pilla, left background, are received by Norwegian Queen Sonja, background center with blue blouse, and King Harald, in Oslo Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004. Ciampi arrived in Norway for a state visit. (AP Photo/ Enrico Oliverio - Ufficio Stampa del Quirinale)

Polfoto 21-09-2004 The sculpture named "Giunone del Quirinale" (The Quirinale Juno goddess), at right, found in Rome's Quirinale presidential grounds, is exhibited in Oslo' s National Gallery to mark the visit by Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, at right with his arm around his his wife Franca Pilla, who were received by Norwegian Queen Sonja and King Harald, in background at center, in Oslo Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004. Ciampi arrived in Norway for a state visit. (AP Photo/ Enrico Oliverio - Ufficio Stampa del Quirinale)

Polfoto 22-09-2004 Norwegian Queen Sonja, right, and Italian first lady Franca Ciampi stand alongside the Norwegian viking ships at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway, Wednesday Sept. 22, 2004. The Italian President Carlo Ciampi and his wife Franca are on a three day official visit to Norway. (AP Photo/ SCANPIX, Heiko Junge)

Polfoto 21-09-2004 Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, left, exchanges gifts with Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon in the Royal Castle in Oslo Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004. Ciampi arrived to Norway for a state visit. (AP Photo/ Tor Richardsen / SCANPIX/ POOL)

[Mandy]

September 21, 2004 - Harald and Sonja with the Italian President and his wife.
Picture from www.isifa.com

[Larzen]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Thanks for the pictures Dennism. Both Sonja and Mette-Marit are wearing new dresses at the gala. Very lovely!

The Queens dress is not new, she has worn it many times, first time in Spain in 1995. (Good on her for fitting in to the same dress almost ten years later)

[Mandy]

September 22, 2004 - Sonja.
Pictures from www.fotomarktplatz.de

[Mandy]

September 22, 2004 - Mette-Marit.
Pictures from www.fotomarktplatz.de

[Larzen]

I found theese pictures from the arrival that was not posted before, Mette-Marit looked very different, dont know if I like it, but very polished compared her usuall hair all over the place.

Also one from the gala

[andr]

Here is some pictures from All Over / Rex / Action Press / Korpa

[andr]

five more pictures