80th Birthday Celebrations of King Harald V and Queen Sonja

[ROYAL NORWAY]

The second article I've translated already this morning - TV2's royal expert Kjell Arne Totland talks about her - really worth a read:
Dronning Sonja fyller 80 år

Queen Sonja turns 80

Her Majesty The Queen will be celebrated with a picnic in the park and summer festival at Bygdøy.

Happy birthday, Queen Sonja!

Tuesday 4th of July, Queen Sonja is turning 80.

The big day is marked by the royal family with several events in Oslo.

It all starts with the opening of "Queen Sonja art stable" in the old stable buildings in the palace park.

Then there is a picnic in Dronningparken, which is part of the palace Park, for invited guests.

The celebration ends with a summer party in large tents in the garden at Bygdøy Kongsgård for the royal couple's family and friends.

"I would like to congratulate our Queen most warmly on the day. It's hardly possible to believe that this vigorous and youthful lady actually turns 80'', says TV 2's royal expert Kjell Arne Totland.

"I really think it's impressive to see how well she stays and how she follows the new times. The last time I saw her, I noticed that she had received a new digital wristwatch, which she even used to respond to mail and text'', he says.

Joint 80th celebrations

In May, the royal couple had a joint 80th celebration, since King Harald turned 80 years in February.

Then everyone was invited to the celebrations at the palace park, where among other things, free ice cream was given to all the visitors. Later that day there was a gala dinner at the Royal Palace.

The government also invited to a dinner in the Opera in honor of the royal couple with 300 invited guests from home and abroad.

During the dinner, King Harald and Queen Sonja held a common speech, and then the King praised the Queen.

"I had not managed to do this this without her" said King Harald in the speech.

She has brought the royal house into a new era

Totland believes that Sonja shall have a lot of credit for that Norway have a well-functioning and popular monarchy.

"Together with King Harald, she has managed to bring the monarchy into a new era and make it relevant to new generations. But first and foremost, in fact, it's her profit that we have the happy and popular king that we have in this country. King Harald herself says she meant everything to him - and that he would never have handled the role of monarch without her'', Totland says.

TV 2's royal expert has followed Sonja closely since she became Norway's Queen in 1991.

"My admiration and respect for her has always been great - and it has actually only increased over the years. She impresses greatly with her perfectionism and enthusiasm for what she's interested in'', Totland says.

Queen Sonja was born Sonja Haraldsen in Oslo on July 4, 1937. She met (then) Crown Prince Harald in 1959. She became Crown Princess when they married in 1968, and later Queen when King Olav died in January 1991.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I'm so moved and happy now - why? Because the Queen is praised like never before, and the tributes are pouring in right now, and she really deserves it.

From the Prime Minister:

"On her birthday, I wish Queen Sonja everything good. The Queen meets us all with warmth, humor and closeness - especially those of us who are having trouble. I'm also impressed by Queen Sonja and her tours, it's probably not a mountain or mountain farm in the country where the Queen has not put her legs. The Queen's pictures and histories of Norwegian nature are brilliant Norway advertisements. And on the day I would like to thank Queen Sonja for going ahead for other women. The Queen has been tough and paved the way. With her position, she has helped make it easier to be a woman in Norway. Happy Birthday!".

Edit: NRK has talked to people in the streets - they are not as enthusiastic as they were when the King turned 80 in february, but they think she does a good job.

Edit: NRK has talked to celebrities and sports people and they talks about what she means to them.

Edit: She is now being called the People's Queen by Dagbladet. I have never heard that this term has been used about her before.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Kjell Arne Totland has written a long blog post, but he writes in a very old fashioned way, so it's very difficult for a dyslexic like me to translate it. But I hope it's readable - because it's very interesting and really worth a read:

Dronning Sonja 80 år – et lite portrett | Kongebloggen - Kjell Arne Totland

Queen Sonja 80 years - a little portrait

A perfectionist in style!

Sonja is very skilled. She is almost perfectionist in everything she's doing - both in daily and in public life, King Harald has said about his wife. ''She is very skilled, I think most people have agree with that. Occasionally, however, it may be a bit to much. I'm afraid that she's doing too much and is getting tired. Everything shall be perfect - and preferably done by herself!''

King Harald knows his Sonja well - both on good and bad. And he is far from alone to be impressed by her skills. That has been fully proven by Sonja in the nearly 49 years she has been our royal first lady!

Sonja has never even concealed that she is an incurable perfectionist. Everything she does is thoughtful - in the smallest detail.
And she makes great demands both for herself and for others.

"I tried to make everyone happy for a few years, but it did not work", she once said.
''Some selfishness must we all have, it is a good protection mechanism. One must only be aware of its negative sides. The most important thing is to come to an understanding with oneself. It is yourself you have to live with.''

And our Queen is surrounded by loyal helpers who support and defend her. Close staffers think it's both fun and interesting to work for her - because she's so professional in everything she's doing.She is also generous with praise and small gifts - also to her employees!

"Sonja is just amazingly organized", said her good friend, the late fashion designer Erik Mortensen: "She gets more things done on a day than others does for a a whole week!
She can spend more on one day than others for a whole week!''

As a queen, Sonja has no real state-law function. But she is married to a head of state - and thus has many important representation engagements. Sonja is very conscious of the role and tasks she has been given - and she has always worked hard to meet her own and others expectations.

Most of the Queen's working hours have during all these years gone to planning/reading.Our queen leaves nothing to chance. For example, she's reading everything she's coming across about places she's going to visit and people she's going to meet.

And although she now has many years of routine, she admits that she may still be nervous when she is going to talk - as an actor before a performance.

''The Queen is my very best supporter in my work, King Harald has said repeatedly - and during the joint birthday celebration in May, he said he would never have been able to master the mission as a monarch without his Sonja by his side. That's why he has emphasized that the two are a team - and he's always including the Queen in his speeches.

In the early years, there were probably many who experienced the official Sonja as both controlled and formal. But over the years, I think that the vast majority of Norwegians have accepted that she is both spontaneous and warm.

Behind the efficient and polished facade, it's hidden a warm-hearted and friendly person - with great care for her surroundings. And that's when this warmth and spontaneity also shine through in her official work that she's at her very best.

Our Queen has always been a sensitive and vulnerable person. She becomes genuinely sad when she becomes misunderstood - or when she doesn't win through with her plans and ideas.

Unrighteous criticism also hurts her - and she admits it can be difficult not to be able to respond. Over the years, however, she has been used to "live with" the special findings of Janteloven (Law of Jante), which sometimes goes against on her. We saw it most recently in connection with her exhibition in Bergen in May.

Sonja can suddenly take to her tears when something touches/hurts her - and she doesn't hide it. But understandably, she don't like to be photographed in such situations.

The Queen also admits that she has temperament. So she can get really angry if she gets disappointed with a person or feel that someone interferes with privacy.

Sonja has also admitted that she and Harald are very different. "We are two independent individuals, and then one must of course pay attention to each other'', she has stated - and added: "For example, the king is much more patient than I am.

Sonja does not hesitate to call Harald her great love, but she gladly admits that it has not always been easy. Many believed in 1968 that Sonja's civil background was going to hurt the monarchy as an institution.

However, she herself believes that her background has proven to be an advantage both for the royal family and for the monarchy - as a useful and necessary corrective. And I think she's right. Because there is no doubt that Sonja has a lot to do with the modern monarchy we have in Norway today.

Sonja sets her family life high - and both her and Harald prioritize the relationship with children and grandchildren to the extent that it is possible in their particular role and position.

Sonja loves to be with her grandshildren - and is happy to lie on the floor in the private apartment at the palace and draw with them. And she has wax tablecloths in all the family's different homes to protect the antique tables, when the shildren wants to play or draw.

Queen Sonja undoubtedly has a particularly close relationship with Ingrid Alexandra - and is naturally keen to prepare the young princess for her future role as crown princess - and reigning Queen.

"We want the children to get an almost normal upbringing", Sonja once said. "But it can be quite difficult when they at the same time are going to be trained for their future functions.

Sonja is even more than her royal husband dependent on "charging the batteries" on a regular basis - beyond the public's spotlight. "It's important to take care of herself'', she has said. "I live an intense life and must have my breathing holes. Going hiking in the mountains is one of the best things I can do. Then I lett go of all the problems down in the valley. It's really a lise for the mind!

In recent years, art has become an important "breathing hole" in the everyday life of our Queen.

Sonja has been very interested in art during all her adult life and had art history as one of her three university subjects. In addition to collecting contemporary art, she currently has the great pleasure of working on various graphic techniques - besides designing and decorating major ceramics-works.

Her Majesty is undoubtedly unusually very healthy- and it's almost amazing that she now reaches 80. But Sonja also observes that the age requires more of her. She has had some problems with her muscles and joints - and have had treatments.

As most people know, our Queen has sometimes suffered from a chronic rheumatoid arthritis - a so-called disk dislocation. At uneven intervals, the discolouration slipped into very painful sciatica attacks.

It is a known matter that stress can be a contributing factor to the painful outbreaks. And of course, the Queen know this - and she therefore tries to "stress down" and "keep her back in check", with special exercises and regular training.

And it seems that she now succeeds much more than before to "keep her back in check". Maybe also because she is currently stressing less than before.

Queen Sonja is well known for her always equally stylish appearances and her exquisite attire. She has a never failing sense of style and effect - and is still called "one of the evenings most beautiful", despite that her gala dresses may be 25 years old!

Many people may think that clothing and jewelry are among our Queen's great interests.

However, she sees these things more as "a necessary and important part of the job" - and not at all as an all-encompassing interest.

But nothing is obviously when Sonja is dressed. Because her perfectionism lies in the blood!

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I hope people here enjoyed the enormous and interesting blog post from Kjell Arne Totland above.

Yet another article - much of this is mentioned in other articles, so I will only translated the important stuff:
https://www.nrk.no/kultur/slik-feire...gen-1.13587299

We cover the celebration throughout the day. On NRK1 you can see these broadcasts:

12.00: Unveiling of statue in the palace park

12.30: Opening of the art stable

19.00: Dagsrevyen (Norway's largest TV-News) Live from the party at Bygdøy kongsgård

20.00: Gift from the King - a documentary about the art stable - Queen Sonja shows us arounf

Have been herself all the time

Wibecke Lie is a retired royal journalist in NTB. She tells us that Queen Sonja is popular.

''Nobody has done more for the people's perception of the monarchy than her. There are no foreign monarchs who have met ordinary people in the same way as her''

Lie believes that the Queen has been herself, while following the community around and modernizing the royal house.

"She has always been herself, she has not changed. It is very important, you can not pretend to be someone else.''

Lie also emphasizes Queen Sonja's artistic interest.

"The art has meant an incredible amount for both herself and the art in general. She has been allowed to do her thing with the support of the King.

I am really happy and surprised by the praise she now resives.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Live video link from NRK - hope it works outside Norway - starts in 5 min:
https://www.nrk.no/kultur/folg-dronn...ing-1.13587903

Picture of the Prime Minister signing the protocol at the palace some min ago:
https://ap.mnocdn.no/images/24087f6b...52&q=80&w=2048

Edit: Starting now.

Edit: Now I hear the cannons right outside here.

Edit: The Prime Minister is present.

Edit: And there she is in yellow - looking great.

Edit: The gift from DNT (Den Norske Turistforening/Norwegian Trekking Association) is a statue of the Queen. Unveiled by the grandchildren.

Edit: Haakon is speaking.

Edit: The Queen and the royal family to walk to the art stable now.

Edit: Mette Marit's mother is also presen, she turns 80 this year too.

Edit: The Queen is now inside the gift from the King (the art stable).

Edit: They are inside greeting people.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Their Majesties are still greeting people - watch live above:

Edit: They are running late - still greeting people.

Edit: There is criticism of the court - because it will cost 100 kroner to get in to the art stable.

Edit: The opening/entertainment is starting now - many min late.

Edit: They are finally sitting down.

Edit: It's finally starting 30 min late.

Edit: A truly artistic entertainment - I like it.

Edit: It's really funny to think about - here we are again with yet another celebration broadcasted on both NRK1 and TV2 News Channel. And we will have the wedding anniversary next year.

Edit: The entertainment continuous for our 80 year old Queen Consort.

Edit: The Prime Minister to speak.

Edit: The PM unveils the government's gift.

[Muhler]

Thanks for your huge work, Royal Norway,

Even though I prefer to read in Norwegian myself, your translations are great. Keep them coming.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Thanks for your huge work, Royal Norway,

Even though I prefer to read in Norwegian myself, your translations are great. Keep them coming.

Thanks Mulher! I think it's an exaggeration to call my translations great, but kind of you to wrote.

The Queen is speaking now.

Edit: She thanks everyone and praises Queen Maud.

Edit: She talks about how much art means to her.

Edit: Her Majesty declares the art stable opened.

Edit: The private picnic in the palace park should have started 14:00, that is not going to happen because we are very late.

Edit: Still speeches going on.

Edit: Live video link from NRK in post 556.

Edit: Now we are going to have the last part of the entertainment.

Edit: The official part of the program is now over.

Edit: Picture of the family:
https://gfx.nrk.no/wuR_UU8Ffn_Qblxlk...iZBg3-MTcSipkw

Picture of HM, the King in the art stable:
https://gfx.nrk.no/U2o1eDE7dQDNPJxJ7...a92ggiw2ivVkGQ

[wartenberg7]

I think the statue is lovely! It reflects HMs personality perfectly!

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

Kjell Arne Totland has written a long blog post, but he writes in a very old fashioned way, so it's very difficult for a dyslexic like me to translate it. But I hope it's readable - because it's very interesting and really worth a read:

Dronning Sonja 80 år – et lite portrett | Kongebloggen - Kjell Arne Totland

A descriptive profile of Queen Sonja; I think both of her children have derived some attributes from her. Thank you for translating it.

Isaksen points out that it's Sonja's merit that culture has become one of the supporting elements of the monarchy today. Sonja has been good at using art to promote Norway abroad. Among other things, she participated in the opening of "Munch vs. Warhol »in New York in April 2013, and in 2016 she opened the exhibition« Painting Norway: Nikolai Astrup (1880-1928) »in London.

[...]

''It has annoyed me. For example, when you're on an official engagement, the press does not write about what's going on, but just about clothes you wear. It is very disappointing'', the Queen said in an interview with NTB in February.

I would have to agree.

[M. Payton]

Royal Norway,
This is such an *outstanding brilliant* piece of work that you have done here. I am so amazed by it, reading about this wonderful lady and all that she has had to go through to get where she is today, shows that Queen Sonja is one very strong intelligent lady who never gives up. She is such a great role model for the young women of Norway.

Still lots more to read yet wanted to impart that to you.

[iceflower]

.

Here are more pics of today's celebrations:


** gettyimages gallery **


** dailymail: 'Pay attention!' Norwegian Prince looks BORED during a formal engagement (and it's not the first time the 11-year-old has had to be brought in check) **

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

I think the statue is lovely! It reflects HMs personality perfectly!

Agree! And the so-called experts seems to like it to. There are many articles about it, and I will trancelate some of them later.

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

A descriptive profile of Queen Sonja; I think both of her children have derived some attributes from her. Thank you for translating it.

I agree! And you're very welcome.

Originally Posted by M. Payton

Royal Norway,
This is such an *outstanding brilliant* piece of work that you have done here. I am so amazed by it, reading about this wonderful lady and all that she has had to go through to get where she is today, shows that Queen Sonja is one very strong intelligent lady who never gives up. She is such a great role model for the young women of Norway.

Still lots more to read yet wanted to impart that to you.

Thank you very much! And nice of you to say.

And yes, Queen Sonja is a wonderful lady who has done so much for this country - despite criticism and personal problems.

More about today:

After all the criticism of the CP couple during the past 4 years, the King has decided to open up the monarchy even more, and cameras are being let in to the private party at Bygdøy this evening. And thats the rigth vay to go when it comes to the monarchy in Norway - because then the ordinary people feel that they are participating.

The NRK1 broadcast from the palace park and the art stable:
https://tv.nrk.no/serie/nyheter/NNFA41008917/04-07-2017

The VG broadcast:
VGTV

The TV2 broadcast - not available, but here's a video of some of it:
Turdronning Sonja fikk seg selv i gave

Edit: Forgot to mention that Marius Borg Høiby were present along with his girlfriend.

Edit: A video from Royal Central's Oskar Aanmoen - very poor quality, so se the broadcast/video above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z8OgmQ7oCY

[ROYAL NORWAY]

NRK live video link from the arrivals at Bygdøy Kongsgår - hope it works outside Norway - starts in 5 min: http://www.nrk.no/kultur/festaften-p...ard-1.13588495

Edit: NRK calls her popular in yet another article, while one of the newspapers goes so far and calls her beloved - something she has never been called before.

Edit: The live video starts now.

Edit: It's black tie.

Edit: The King and Queen is greeting the guests.

Edit: Still greeting guests.

Edit: This is a private celebration, but there are some official guests - including the Prime Minister.

Edit: Marius Borg Høiby and his girlfriend will be be present, but not in front of the cameras.

Edit: Not more guests to greet - the private party starts now.

Edit: The Queen is criticized by art-historians for what she exhibits in the art stable and the fact that it will cost 100 kroner to get in.

Edit: And again, the experts are very mean to her - accusing her of taking money from ''poor artists'' because she has received art-gifts for the stable.

Edit: And as one of the royal experts has said, no one has had to stand up to the Law of Jante more than Queen Sonja.

[maria-olivia]

When it was in 1999 , for Prince Philippe 's Wedding , we had an important Exibition at our Fine Arts Museum about our painter James Ensor.
The Royal Family of Norway wanted to visit the Exhibition , a Visit was organised on a Monday when the Museum was closed.
Queen Sonja wanted to be guided by the Curator and a Friend of mine the King ans his daughter.
She noticed directly that Paintings was not King Harald's cup of tea. So after a while she started with a Joke and ho what happen , such a heavy Laugh from the King that the Queen and our Curator were shocked . At the end, the King's Bodyguard said that she was an excellent Guide.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Very interesting! And no, paintings/art is certainly not King Harald's cup of tea - he has said so him self.

Article with pictures and a 8 min video from the party tonight - trancelated by me:
https://www.nrk.no/kultur/disse-delt...den-1.13588495

These will attend the dinner at Bygdøy

Tonight the Queen's birthday celebration ends with a party night at Bygdø Kongsgård. The party is the royal couple's joint 80th birthday.

The guests arrived at bygdøy around 19:15. Queen Sonja is wearing a purple dress, and the royal couple greeted the guests who arrived. Among the guests is the mayor of Oslo, Marianne Borgen.

Princess Astrid was welcomened by the royal couple. Lis Haraldsen, widow of Queen Sonja's brother, has also arrived at the party.

Artist Magne Furuholmen and his wife are also among the guests tonight. Magne Furuholmen has become close friend with the Queen in recent years.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her husband Sindre Finnes arrived together at at bygdøy - the prime minister dressed a long green dress.

Sources has confirmed to NRK that Marius Borg Høiby and his girlfriend Linn Helena Nilsen will be present tonight.

Politicians such Fabian Stang (former major of Oslo) and Catharina Munthe (his wife) are regular guests at royal parties and were also present tonight.

The Crown Prince couple arrived at the party with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's mother, Marit Tjessem and Princess Märtha Louise.

Dance, food and drinks

Present at the party tonight are close friends and family. According to what the NRK experiences, there are around 100 people invited to the party. There will be good food, good drink and dance. It is known that the Queen is very fond of dancing and jazz music.

Earlier today, the Queen celebrated the birthday with the unveiling of the statue in the palace park, and the opening of the art stable. When the stable was opened, the Queen held a speech for the guests. She said it was a dream come true.

"As you know, in recent years I have had an extra commitment to promote graphic arts. Opening the art stable with an exhibition of graphics is a dream for me''.

She thanked at the same time for all the presents, and said that she is looking forward to welcoming new artists and art forms to the art stable in the future.

There are written very many article about the celebrations today - I will translate some of them tomorrow, and maybe an article about the statue tonight.

[Prisma]

Thanks so much Royal Norway!
Lovely statue of Queen Sonja and wonderful art stable.
Good know Marius Borg Høiby was there.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

You're very welcome!

I urge everyone from Scandinavia to see this wonderful 30 min documentary where this warm and caring person (Queen Sonja) shows NRK around in the art stable. It was broadcast on NRK1 tonight:
https://tv.nrk.no/program/NNFA300000...-fyller-80-aar

This has been a wonderful day with much praise for Norway's 80-year-old Queen consort - something she deserves.

I'm going to translate 2 or 3 articles tomorrow. I'm also going to write a bit about the golden wedding anniversary next year - we've got some interesting information about it.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Märtha posted this heartwarming Instagram message to her mother, Queen Sonja, on her 80th birthday - writing: ''Happy 80th Birthday to one of my greatest inspirations in life: My Mom. Thank you for being stubborn enough to change what needed changing, loving enough to let everyone around you blossom and intuitive enough to let everyone be appreciated for who they are.'' She also posted this picture:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DD50GL7XYAEFx_D.jpg

And here you can read a bit about the silly criticism she received by some art-experts yesterday:
Queen Sonja is delighted with the art gallery - Norway Today

[polyesco]

Some photos from the gallery opening
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34dY4dv0o...r_tc0b9355.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1lrw1WmR...r_tc0b9137.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ylx0Dj71...r_tc0b90f6.jpg