80th Birthday Celebrations of King Harald V and Queen Sonja

[polyesco]

Some very nice pictures of the royal family. Love the one with the grand-kids
A happy surprise that Marius is included

the grand-kids are getting so big

[ROYAL NORWAY]

The King and Queen has given an interview to NTB: (NORWAY TODAY has translated the entire interview)
Read More: No pause for breath for the royal couple who’ve reached the grand age of 80 - Norway Today

King Harald has no plans to take it easy although he’s reached 80 years of age. To step back out of the spotlight is out of the question, unless he gets a clear message from the ‘children’ (who are themselves in their mid to late 40s) that it’s time. ‘But then, I’ve probably come so far that I don’t realize it’, said the king with a smile.

He has said this (in fun) several times. He has asked his children to speak out if he becomes senile, but then (as he says) he would probably not understand what they are talking about anyway.

It would not be customary for him to do this in Spain, the Netherlands, or Belgium, where the Heads of State have recently abdicated.

‘I took an oath to the Constitution. For me, it means for life’, said the King to Norsk Telegrambyrå (NTB) news agency.

As he has said several times before!

He could have abdicated before 2012 (when the Crown Prince was still popular), but it would not had ben possible today.

The king said that cooperation with the crown prince and princess is of great help to him and the queen.

‘We have four people working as a team. We work closely together, have many meetings, and talk a lot together. This is a scheme that I introduced myself, and that I missed when I was crown prince’.

The king said the crown prince occasionally offers to take over some assignments.

King Harald said, ’But I seldom accept the offer, I should emphasise!’

NTB will meet the king and queen to interview them on the occasion of their 80th birthdays on February the 21st and the 4th of July. The royal couple will not allow that age to weigh them down.

‘I always thought that those who were 80, were old aged, but I do not feel old aged myself. Age is just a number’, said King Harald.

The King is a bit frail, but it's good that he still feels young.

In 2016, after 25 years on the throne , the jubilee year was eventful. In all, the couple attended more than 6,000 meetings with Norwegians who are not members of the aristocracy. The speech, which the king held in the Royal Palace on September the 1st, summarised his impressions, and described the Norway that had met him.

The speech touched many, even people outside the country. For the king, multicultural society is no threat.

‘I think it enriches Norwegian culture. We gain more diversity. Meanwhile, I think we should stick to what is Norwegian. We do not need to drop it, even if we get input from outside.

It was one of the best speeches he has held.

The 17th of January, 1991, saw the death of King Olav, and the country got a new king. It was no easy task.

‘I was terrified. To be quite honest, I was pretty sure I was not going to be able to do it. My father was incredibly popular’, said the king.

King Harald is a much better monarch than what his father was, and is, according to experts (and I agree) more popular than King Olav was. And considering the fact that King Olav was never criticized by the media, that is an accomplishment in itself.

Asked if sometimes, as the crown prince grew up, he was scolded by his father’, the room echoed with familiar laughter.

‘No, but it happened often enough that it was vice versa!’

The transelation is wrong - here comes the rigth one: Asked if he sometimes scolded his father when he was crown prince, the room echoed with familiar laughter

''No, but it happened enough that it was vice versa sometimes!''

[ANNIE_S]

Originally Posted by eya

New Official photos for the 80th Birthday of the Kings

http://1.vgc.no/drfront/images/2017/...415;323794.jpg
https://imbo.vgc.no/users/bildespesi...e9e921380e4f46
https://imbo.vgc.no/users/bildespesi...ededc9a6475572
https://imbo.vgc.no/users/bildespesi...b1bc20e082981d

Very lovely pictures, especially the one with the whole family.

I don't find it odd that Marius appears in the family photo, in fact, I would have find it stranger if he wasn't there. He might have left the spotlight, but he hasn't left the family.

[Duc_et_Pair]

How they all have grown in no time! Especially Maud, Leah Isidora and Emma Behn are changed, since they go completely out of my viewpoint as foreign outsider and follower of Norwegian royal news. The King and Queen look happy and well. Happy birthdays to the couple.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

From Kjell Arne Totland: Kong Harald (80 til uken): – Alder er bare et tall! | Kongebloggen - Kjell Arne Totland
Translated by me:

King Harald turns 80 next Tuesday.

And although the King and all his family this time is "away on the day", its flag day throughout the kingdom with a greeting protocol at the palace and online.

I must admit that I find it almost unbelievable that King Harald now is celebrating his 80th birthday. The years have really gone fast - and neither he nor Queen Sonja is as other 80-year-olds.

Personally, as a royal reporter, I have had the great pleasure to follow His Majesty in all his now 26 years as king - and I think he really lives up to his motto "All for Norway".

King Harald is like his father and grandfather an outstanding focal point for the nation.
Yeah, he's probably maybe even closer to his people than they were!

On the occasion of the birthday, the royal couple has together and separately given a interview.

An amused King Harald said the following about turnig 80:

I always thought that those who were 80, were old aged, but I do not feel old aged myself. Age is just a number.

Both here at the King Blog and elsewhere in TV2 of course, we will celebrate His Majesty's birthday on February 21.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

The King and Queen has given an interview to NTB: (NORWAY TODAY has translated the entire interview)
Read More: No pause for breath for the royal couple who’ve reached the grand age of 80 - Norway Today

He could have abdicated before 2012 (when the Crown Prince was still popular), but it would not had ben possible today.

thank you for the translations and inputs Royal Norway

this part stood out for me, you do not see the Crown Prince as popular?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

You're very welcome, polyesco!

I'm a big fan of both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and I like that they are trying to make Norway an even better and more inclusive society (as King Harald and Queen Sonja have done since they married in 1968), but they do it in a wrong way.

After the criticism from people/media calmed down after the wedding in 2001, both Haakon and Mette-Marit become very popular (I would say even more popular than what Frederik and Mary are in Denmark now). They got some criticism for the controversial journey they went on in 2010/2011, but it calmed down quickly. Their approval ratings were above 80% until early 2013.

In the last 3 years, this has unfortunately changed. They have been criticized for being friends with wealthy people, politicians, actors, for going on luxury boat-trips and for taking the children out of the public school etc.

And this is not well received in a country where the Law of Jante is still very present. And as a female Danish expert said when Queen Margrethe celebrated her 75th birthday: It's much harder to be royal in Norway than in Denmark and Sweden because everyone expects you to be like them.

Haakon: He interferes in politics, uses the royal court's money to build organizations and is bad at dealing with the media.

Mette-Marit: She's even worse at dealing with the media and gets cranky when she gets asked critical questions.

Many expert/journalists (who are very pro royal) is concerned about the monarchy's future when Haakon becomes king. And even worse: He has said that he will not change when he becomes King.

Haakon will also have an enormous task of taking over after King Harald, who is extremely popular.

[Frelinghighness]

thank you for that insight. Just from my perspective, it does seem that they hang outmwith elites

[Prisma]

Thank you for the translations Royal Norway and thank you eya for the photos!

The photos were taken in October according to the captions:
https://www.nrk.no/norge/nye-kongebi...ex=9#undefined

Even in the future, I wouldn't find it odd for Marius to be included at times.

About CP Haakon and CP Mette-Marit: are their friendships with the wealthy/elite a recent development? Or, they've always had those friendships but were discreet in the past?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I would first like to thank all of you for all the thanks I have received for my pretty bad (because of dyslexia) translations. It's one of the reasons why I still bother to keep on with this.

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

thank you for that insight. Just from my perspective, it does seem that they hang outmwith elites

You're very welcome!

Originally Posted by Prisma

Thank you for the translations Royal Norway and thank you eya for the photos!

The photos were taken in October according to the captions:
https://www.nrk.no/norge/nye-kongebi...ex=9#undefined

Even in the future, I wouldn't find it odd for Marius to be included at times.

About CP Haakon and CP Mette-Marit: are their friendships with the wealthy/elite a recent development? Or, they've always had those friendships but were discreet in the past?

You're very welcome!

They (especially Haakon) has been criticized for networking several times before, but their friendship with very rich people both in Norway and abroad have become more visible in the last three years, and Haakon has even admitted it himself in interviews. He has said that it is important for him and Mette-Marit to have a powerful network so that they can help people.

Gratulasjonsprotokoll 21. februar - kongehuset.no

On the occasion of His Majesty King Harald's 80th birthday, a greeting protocol will be available at the Royal Palace and at the Kongehuset.no.

The protocol will remain in the Main Port at the Palace, and the audience will be able to sign from 14.00 to 16.00.

Earlier in the day, the President of the Storting, the Prime Minister and Chief Justice will sign the protocol, and between 10:00 and 12:00 the diplomatic corps.

Greeting Protocol online

Those who are unable to go to the Palace can take advantage of the electronic protocol that will be published here on the Royal House website. It will be available from 06.00 on his birthday, February 21.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Harald V isn't only the understanding, caring and down to earth king who fights for the weak, those who are bullied and those who are struggling with addictions etc. He is also the funny king - watch the videos in this article:
https://www.nrk.no/norge/kong-harald...mor-1.13374761
Translated by me:

''What I primarily think of when I meet King Harald, is the laughter, humor and twinkle in his eyes. In the beginning there was perhaps a bit stiffer, and the humor was not so visible. But it has turned out in full bloom gradually, and creates the closeness he has to those he meet''.

The quote came from Prime Minister Erna Solberg when NRK interviewed her in connection with the 25th anniversary of the king and queen.

NRK has followed the royal couple at several state visits and missions, and many highlights the King's humor as a central feature.

''He has a wonderfully humor and loves to laugh. And so we do a lot'', said Queen Margrethe of Denmark.

''He is very funny. When he is socially confident and are in a setting where it is possible, then he is the very funny and has an incredibly quick comment'', said Crown Prince Haakon.

''I've had a lot of fun with the king. To be at the Council of State at the palace is a very solemn thing, the ministers stand up, deliver the papers, sits down in a certain way and say certain things. The ministers often gets a bit stressed by that, and then the king laughs. And then we all laughs together, and then it becomes a very liberating laughter in the room'', said Jens Stoltenberg.

In other news: The king was at the front page of Dagbladet today and was praised for the person he is. This is the newspaper that has wanted a republic for decades and who went to war against the monarchy in 2016.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

King and Queen anniversary celebrated with sporty stamps - Norway Today

King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 80th anniversaries celebrated with stamps where the royal couple is depicted in sporting environments.

Posten has chosen to honor the two jubilant each with its own stamp, and both are given out on the king’s birthday on February 21th.
– Many stamps with the royal couple shows them in official contexts.
This time we have chosen to show the king and queen in more informal surroundings. It is natural to pick subjects that tells about how sporty after 80 year they are, tells stamp director Halvor Fasting.

While sailing veteran, King Harald is photographed in the sailboat “Framl XVII” under NM Express in Bunnefjorden in 2014, the outdoor enthusiast Queen Sonja is depicted during hiking in Flakstad in Lofoten in July 2013.

King and Queen was the first time on stamps as royal couple on the king’s birthday in 1991. King Harald together have been depicted on stamps 22 times, while Queen Sonja has graced six times.
The value of the stamps is respectively 23 and 36 NOK. Both are designed for use on standard letter from 50 to 100 grams and 100 to 350 grams.

Pictures of the stamps:
https://i1.wp.com/norwaytoday.info/w...size=777%2C437

http://www.folkebladet.no/nyheter/ar...h_tbb38539.jpg

[polyesco]

Those are some very nice stamps. Happy and sporty couple. thank you for all the information

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Post 1:

Past celebrations of the King/Queen and their predecessors:

King Haakon VII celebrated his 80th birthday on August 3th 1952 with balcony appearances at the Royal Palace and Oslo City Hall, driving in open cars through the crowds and a white tie gala dinner at Akershus Castle.

King Olav V celebrated his 60th, 70th, 80th, 85th birthdays and his Silver Jubilee with foreign guests, white tie gala performances, white tie gala dinners at Akershus Castle, balcony appearances and driving in open cars through the crowds.

King Harald V and Queen Sonja's Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1993:

August 28: They gave a white tie gala dinner and dance at the Royal Palace.

August 29: They were driven in an open car to and from a service in Oslo Cathedral before they appeared on the balcony and attended a white tie gala dinner at Akershus Castle.

All the events were broadcast live on NRK, and among the many foreign guests who attended were Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Queen Beatrix, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince Constantijn, Prince Johan Friso, Prince Joachim, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

The next day: The King and Queen and their guests went on a 3 days cruise (the Silver Cruise) in Nordfjord and Sunnmøre in the beautiful north-western part of Norway. And the royal guests had memories for life.

Pictures: Søk | Scanpix


60th Birthdays of King Harald V and Queen Sonja in 1997:

February 21: The King broke with tradition and did not celebrate, but he appeared in public when he attended the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. He was given a cake and blew out the candles live on TV.

He and the Queen choose instead to celebrate in June with a joint celebration in Trondheim:

June 20: They appeared on the balcony and gave a black tie gala dinner at Stiftsgården.

June 21: They attended a service at Nidaros Cathedral and in the evening they attended a white tie gala performance at Olavshallen and a white tie gala dinner at Erkebispegården.

All the events were broadcast live on NRK, and among the many foreign guests who attended were Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, King Albert and Queen Pola, Prince Charles, Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Prince Felipe.

The next day: The King and Queen and their guests went on a cruise (the Arctic 60th cruise) in Nordland. And the royal guests had memories for life.

Pictures: Søk | Scanpix

70th Birthday of King Harald V in 2007: (The biggest royal birthday celebration we've had in Norway)

February 21: The King and the royal family attended a service at Trefoldighetskirken (the Trinity Church), he unveiled a statue of his mother (Crown Princess Märtha) in the Palace Park and attended a black tie gala dinner with entertainment at Akershus Castle (given by the government) in the evening.

NRK1 (Norway's largest TV channel) broadcasted from 11:30 to 16:30 where they sent live from all the events and looked back on (then) 16 years with King Harald as monarch. The eminent NRK commentator Geir Helljesen and royal correspondent Anne Baggethun (now both retired) was part of the broadcast. The then-Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg were among the guests in NRK's studio.

NRK1 had full coverage of the gala dinner in the Dagsrevyen (Norway's largest news program) from 19:00 to 19:30 and sent live from Akershus Castle from 19:30 to 19:55. They also broadcasted the documentary (Our King is 70) from 19:55 to 20:55. Norway's only news channel (TV 2 Nyhetskanalen) also broadcasted all the events live. It was a fantastic day, and I will never forget it. (I was only 18 at the time)

February 23-25: (attended by foreign royals)

February 23: The royals attended a black tie gala concert at Oslo City Hall in the evening. The concert was a gift to the King and Queen from all the counties and municipalities of Norway. (It was televised by TV 2)

Later in the evening, the royal guests and Heads of state attended a dinner given by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess at Skaugum.

February 24: The King and Queen invited their guests to a day at the Norwegian museum for cultural history at Bygdøy. (live on TV 2 news channel)

In the evening, the King and Queen gave a white tie gala dinner/ball at the Royal Palace.

Afterwards, the King and his family appeared on the balcony to watch a short concert with fireworks (a gift by the Armed Forces to the King) at the Palace Square. (live on NRK1/TV 2 news channel)

February 25: The King's 70th birthday ended with a concert in Sollihøgda chapel and a sleigh ride to Toresplassen, where the royal guests had lunch.

The guestlist: Royal Encyclopedia: Guestlist for HM King Harald V's 70th Birthday
In addition to the mentioned guests in this list, the Presidents of Finland and Iceland with spouses were also present.

Queen Margrethe was not present due to a operation, King Albert and Queen Paola canceled due to illness and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were only present at the dinner at Skaugum, but the guest list was still impressive.

Pictures: Søk | Scanpix

70th birthday of Queen Sonja in 2007:

July 4: She was celebrated in Stavanger. There is still information available on the royal website - read here: http://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=32475&sek=27262

NRK's coverage was (of course) much smaller and less extensive than under the king's 70th birthday, but the media in general were very interested. NRK1 (Norway's largest TV channel) sent live for an hour in the morning and broadcast a one-hour documentary on the Queen in the evening. TV 2 News Channel sent live from most of the events.

July 5-7: The celebrations continued with a cruise along the coast of Southern Norway, and concluded with a private programme at the King and Queen’s holiday retreat at Mågerø. There is still information available on the royal website - read here:
http://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=32543&sek=27262
http://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=34261&sek=27262
http://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=34261&sek=27262

The guestlist: Royal Encyclopedia: Guestlist for HM Queen Sonja of Norway's 70th Birthday

Pictures: Søk | Scanpix

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Post 2:

75th Birthdays of King Harald V and Queen Sonja in 2012:

This was not round birthdays (as we call it in Norway), and the television/media coverage was therefore much smaller and less extensive than it was under the King's 70th birthday.

February 15: The royals attended the opening of the exhibition entitled “Royal Journeys 1905-2005” in Oslo. The exhibition at the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design was the Government’s gift to King Harald and Queen Sonja in honour of their 75th birthdays. (Televised by NRK1 from 12:45 to 13:45 and live coverage on TV2 News Channel.) There is still information available on the royal website - read here: Opening of Royal Journeys Exhibition - The Royal House of Norway

May 31: The King and Queen celebrated with an appearance on the balcony to greet 3 000 pre-school children and to watch a performance by the Royal Guard Norwegian Military Drill Team. (Televised by NRK1 from 13:30 to 14:30 and live coverage on TV 2 News Channel.) The royals also attended a service at Oslo Cathedral. (It was not televised)

They attended a gala performance (given by the government) at the roof of the Opera House in the evening. (Televised by NRK1 from 19:30 to 21:15)

There is still information available on the royal website - read here: Happy Birthday! - The Royal House of Norway

July 4-5: Private Celebrations of the King and Queen with many non-royal friends at Bygdø Kongsgård, Høvikodden and Oscarshall. Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia attended as well. (This was a totally private celebration, not television coverage at all)

25 years (Silver Jubilee) as King and Queen in 2016:

January 16: The Crown Prince Couple hosted a private dinner at Skaugum.

January 17: The royals attended a service in the Palace Chapel before they attended the Winter activities in the Palace Square.

They later appeared on the balcony befor they walked through the crowds in the freezing weather from the Palace to the Aula of the University of Oslo, where they attended a gala performance. There is still information available on the royal website - read here: Splendid jubilee celebration - The Royal House of Norway

The King and Queen hosted a private dinner at the Royal Palace in the evening.

Queen Margrethe, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia were pressent.

NRK1 broadcasted the service in the Palace Chapel from 10:55 to 11:55, the Winter activities in the Palace Square from 12:35 to 14:00.

NRK2 sent live from the Winter activities in the Palace Square from 14:20 to 16:00.

NRK1 sent highlights from the day's celebration from 18:00 to 19:00 and broadcasted the gala performance from 20:15 to 22:00.

June 18-29: Silver jubilee tour along the coast with the Royal Yacht Norge. During the course of their trip, the King and Queen visited six cities, and public festivities were held each place in their honour. Their Majesties hosted a garden party in each city.

June 23: The King and Queen celebrated their Consecration Jubilee in Trondheim with “breakfast with the people” at the Ravnkloa fish market. Mayor of Trondheim Rita Ottervik spoke at the event which also featured music, children’s art and breakfast delicacies.

Later in the day, the royals attended a church service in Nidaros Cathedral and appeared on the balcony at Stiftsgården where they held a garden party for 600 guests. There is still information available on the royal website - read here: Revisiting the consecration ceremony - The Royal House of Norway

NRK1 (Norway's largest TV channel) sent live from 09:00 to 17:20 and broadcasted a summary of the events from 19:30 to 20:55. (It must be one of the longest television broadcasts in Norway's history)

September 1: The King and Queen hosted a garden party in the Palace Park for 1 500 guests from throughout Norway. It was here that the King held his amazing speech. There is still information available on the royal website - read here:

NRK1 broadcasted the garden party from 13:10 to 16:20.

Pictures: Søk | Scanpix

80th Birthday Celebrations of King Harald V and Queen Sonja in 2017:

Norway's amazing monarch celebrates his 80th birthday tomorrow abroad with his family.

NRK had until yesterday not planned any special broadcasts to mark the day, but now I see that they are planning a one-hour broadcast in the evening on NRK1 with guests in the studio.

If we compare this with how he celebrated and how NRK covered his 70th birthday in 2007 (se my above posts where I describe it in detail) then, this is very disappointing.

The very big celebrations in May with many foreign royal guests: (As the royal experts say)

I have very low expectations for this as well.

The only thing that has been confirmed by the royal court and the government is a dinner at the Opera House on May 10th (I doubt it will be televised) and the 80th birthday tour in June.

If there is a celebration with foreign royal guests present, then I fear it is going to be a completely private event in July or August.

In fact, the entire 80th birthday celebrations might be a non event. And if that happens, who's to blame? It must be the new Lord Chamberlain (employed since 2015) and her peoples who've already done a poor job.

I don't mean to be negative and I hope (of course) that I will be pleasantly surprised.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

TV2 news channel broadcasts live from the palace and the streets of Oslo tomorrow, where people are given the opportunity to congratulate the King.

It used to be great interest in Norwegian royal celebrations here at TRF (the King's 70th birthday thread has 889 posts) many of these members are sadly not active here anymore. But I know that there are still many here who are interested, and it would be nice if some of you were a bit more active here.

[duke of poliganc]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

TV2 news channel broadcasts live from the palace and the streets of Oslo tomorrow, where people are given the opportunity to congratulate the King.

It used to be great interest in Norwegian royal celebrations here at TRF (the King's 70th birthday thread has 889 posts) many of these members are sadly not active here anymore. But I know that there are still many here who are interested, and it would be nice if some of you were a bit more active here.

thank you ROYAL NORWAY for your hard work i really enjoy your posts and i think people are waiting here for the celebration in may .

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by duke of poliganc

thank you ROYAL NORWAY for your hard work i really enjoy your posts and i think people are waiting here for the celebration in may .

Thanks!

There are only a few minutes to Norway's beloved monarch turns 80. Here is a long article by Harald Stanghelle (a Republican who likes the king) I don't have time to translate the whole article now, but here is some of what he says: Forandringenes konge - Aftenposten

"We shall know that we - in spite of our differences - are one people. That Norway is one."

It was what King Harald said in his speech on the great garden party in the Queen-park, six months ago. In two short sentences, he summarized his own reign as a unifying symbol.

The party which marked 25 years of King Harald and Queen Sonja on the throne, were used to convey the monarch's hopes for the nation he was born to be the head of state for. The hope that tNorway will be developed further "on trust, fellowship and generosity."

At King Harald's 80th birthday, these words can be turned toward the king. For hardly anything reflects his own reign more than just that:

Trust. Communities. Generosity.

"Sometimes I still think so", has King Harald said when he recalls how "terrified" he was when he in 1991 become monarch. Perhaps this is the key to understand the enormous position he has among the Norwegian people after these 26 years.

Video from Dagbladet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVT5e3npKv4

[ROYAL NORWAY]

King Harald celebrates 80th birthday with his grandchildren on winter holiday - Norway Today

King Harald will spend his 80th birthday with his grandchildren and immediate family over the winter vacation.

Where the royal family are vacationing is unknown, though is understood to be not a castle. But NTB news reported that Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Märtha Louise, and the grandchildren, are with the royal couple on the king’s birthday.

Marius Borg Høiby is busy with his studies in California. Princess Märtha Louise’s estranged husband, the writer, singer, catwalk-entertainer, catalogue model, occasional war-correspondent, and all-round TV celebrity, Ari Behn, is not present.

The official celebrations for the king and queen’s 80th birthdays on February the 21st, and July the 4th, will take place on the 10th of May. On that occasion, the government will hold a gala dinner in the foyer of the Opera House in Oslo.

‘We hope for good weather, a good mood, and a taste of early summer’, said Prime Minister, Erna Solberg (Høyre), to Aftenposten at the weekend.

The castle will release a ‘greetings protocol’ on the occasion of the king’s birthday, which the public can sign between the hours of 14.00 and 16.00 on Tuesday. An electronic protocol will also be posted on the royal house’s website.

King Harald gave a long interview to NTB news last week, stating that he intends to keep his ‘Oath to the Constitution’ for his lifetime. He expressed that age does not weigh on him.

‘I always thought that those who were 80 were old aged, but I do not feel old aged myself. Age is just a number’, said the King.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

Harald V isn't only the understanding, caring and down to earth king who fights for the weak, those who are bullied and those who are struggling with addictions etc. He is also the funny king - watch the videos in this article:
https://www.nrk.no/norge/kong-harald...mor-1.13374761


In other news: The king was at the front page of Dagbladet today and was praised for the person he is. This is the newspaper that has wanted a republic for decades and who went to war against the monarchy in 2016.

Thank you for your brilliant posts, Royal Norway. As far as I can judge, King Harald is a laudably unpretentious, genial, honorable, and solicitous monarch who keeps up with the times.