Ingrid Alexandra's 18th birthday: 21 January, 2022 & birthday celebrations

[Saragli]

I would have loved for Leonor to accompany her father. Didn't the Infantas wear tiaras and attend banquets before they were 18 when JC was King? But not to complain since we are being absolutely spoiled with this event. Bless the Norwegians.

[ROYAL NORWAY]



Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Is there a link to watch the government dinner on the 16th? The cultural performances would be interesting to view.

Let's go through the television coverage so that you and others here on the forums know what to expect:

1. As I've written before, the Norwegian monarchy is now, without doubt, the monarchy that allows the cameras in most frequently.
2. And Norway is now also the country where the broadcasters televise most big royal events.

And yes, the Danes are pretty good at it too; however, the Danish broadcasters were not allowed in to cover the confirmation-services of Christian and Isabella, and they are never allowed to cover the annual New Year's banquet at Amalienborg (except for the arrivals).
And when it comes to QMII's annual birthday appearance on the balcony, which the media are free to cover, then the Danish broadcasters don't even bother to televise it (except for her milestone ones). So thank god for the Danish magazine BILLED-BLADET, which always sends it live on their website.

In Norway, OTOH, all such things are televised!

But this time, however, the Norwegian royal court and the government have strangely arranged Ingrid's two birthday-dinners to take place on the same days as two other major events here:
1. The annual Bislett Games on June 16 (a track and field meeting at the Bislett Stadium in Oslo), which will get many here to tune in to television to watch the runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
2. The annual outdoor VG-lista-concert from the square in front of Oslo City Hall on June 17 (referred to in Norway as the biggest concert in Scandinavia).

And due to rights and stuff, the state broadcaster NRK is obliged to broadcast both events live on their main TV-channel NRK1 (which is Norway's largest). But I have been told in an email from an NRK-person who works with royal matters that they will try to show as much as possible of Ingrid's two birthday-dinners.
However, the TV coverage will differ a bit from the coverage of previous royal milestones (including some of Ingrid's birthday events that took place in January), which have mainly been broadcast on NRK1.

And this is how their TV-Guide looks like right now, which has changed a bit during the last few days:

June 16:
NRK1 will send an extended version of their regular news programme Dagsrevyen from 19:00 to 20:00, where they will show live-clips from the black-tie government dinner.
And then after over two hours with Bislett Games, they will send highlights from the dinner at around 22:20.
These programs will be available for everyone to watch in the hours after they have ended (also for those outside Norway).

And yes, the dinner could have been broadcast on NRK's second channel NRK2, but since they already will have to broadcast some of the Bislett Games coverage on that channel while Dagsrevyen is sent on NRK1, that would have been a bit tricky.

June 17:
Due to the VG-lista-concert, which lasts from 20:00 to 22:30, NRK1 will only be able to send from the gala dinner between 19:40 and 20:00 and from 22:30 to 23:15. But NRK2 will have broad coverage from 19:00 to 21:30.
These programs will be available for everyone to watch in the hours after they have ended (also for those outside Norway).

(Be aware that the times that I've written down are Norwegian times, i.e. Central European Summer Time.)

There will most likely be full coverage on the commercial TV2 News Channel as well, but they never announce such things on their TV-Guide, so a bit difficult to say when they will start broadcasting (but most likely around 19:00).

And pretty sure that NRK/TV2 will provide live-links (which work outside Norway), such as they did during the Regent-Couple's 80th Birthday Celebrations in 2017, the Regent-Couple's Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2018, the confirmations of Ingrid and Sverre Magnus in 2019 and 2020 and during Ingrid's birthday-events in January 2022. And if they do, I will of course post them here (unless others do it before me).
But live-links or not, the NRK programmes will (as I wrote above) be available for everyone to watch on NRK's TV-website in the hours after they have ended (also for those outside Norway).

Normally I would also have expected a live-link from the tabloid VG, which will be the best one since it doesn't include commentary, but since they will be very busy with that VG-lista concert (which bears their name), I'm not sure they will provide one.

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I wonder how much overlap exists between the selection of representatives of organizations who will be guests at the government dinner on the 16th and those who will be guests at the palace dinner on the 17th. Has a guestlist for the government dinner been released yet?

No, not for us ordinary folks, but the media have seen it. And you can read some of the names in this NRK article (link).
And here is a google-translation (link), which is quite good now, hence why I don't bother to write a summary.

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Interesting that the chairperson of the Islamic Council is listed under "Official Norway" and not "Norwegian Organizations". Do religions other than the Church of Norway have official standing in Norway?

No, not really, but after the Church of Norway ceased to be a state Church in 2012, article 16 in the constitution says that ''all religious and belief communities should be supported on equal terms.''

And the Islamic Council did receive annual money from the state until 2017, when they lost it due to some controversies.

BTW, I see that the leader of the Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities, Trond Enger, is also listed under the "Official Norway" category.

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And to those who may be wondering why Myanmar's ambassador to Norway will be present at the gala dinner at the palace (I mean it's not a country we have close relations with at the moment). Well, that's because she's the longest-serving current ambassador to Norway, and that's why she's always invited to such things.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

I doubt Christian and Leonor's fathers would be without say in the matter.

You are right, but they might agree with their wives in this case.

I remember Prince Nikolai attended his first gala dinner (CP Frederik's 50th birthday) only after he had already turned 18. I believe it will be the same for Prince Christian.

[An Ard Ri]

No representatives from the UK or Monaco?

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

No representatives from the UK or Monaco?

His Majesty The King
Her Majesty The Queen
His Royal Highness The Crown Prince
Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess
Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra
Mr. Marius Borg Høiby
His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus
Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise
Mr. (Shaman) Durek Verrett
Miss Maud Angelica Behn
Miss Leah Isadora Behn
Miss Emma Tallulah Behn
Her Highness Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner
Ms. Marit Tjessem


Denmark

His Royal Highness The Crown Prince
Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess

Sweden

Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess
His Royal Highness Prince Daniel
Her Royal Highness Princess Estelle
His Royal Highness Prince Oscar


The Netherlands

His Majesty The King
Her Majesty Queen Máxima
Her Royal Highness The Princess of Orange


Belgium

Her Majesty The Queen
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Brabant


Spain

His Majesty The King

Luxembourg

His Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand-Duke
Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand-Duchess
His Royal Highness Prince Charles


Other

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sparta
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sparta
Her Royal Highness Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark
His Royal Highness Prince Constantine of Greece and Denmark
His Royal Highness Prince Aristides of Greece and Denmark
His Royal Highness The Prince of Preslav
Ms. María del Rosario Nadal y Fuster de Puigdórfila formerly Princess of Preslav
Ms. Katharine Jibba Butler (the current partner to Prince Kyril, the Prince of Preslav)
Her Highness Princess Mafalda-Cecilia of Preslav
Her Highness Princess Olia of Preslav
His Highness Prince Tassilo of Preslav

[LadyFinn]

Svensk Damtidning:

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel go to Oslo with the whole family.
- Yes, that's right, the children are coming to Norway on the princess's official birthday celebration, says the director of the information department Margareta Thorgren.
Sounds like there's going to be a children's table at this gala dinner?
- Yes, that's probably a conclusion I think you can draw!
How long does the family stay in Norway?
- Over the festivities. They will be at the gala dinner, and then they will go home the next day.
And how would you describe their friendship with the Norwegian Crown Prince and Crown Princess and their family?
- It's a nice relationship. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were here in Sweden on an official visit at the beginning of May and then stayed at Haga Palace. So they are happy to meet, both in official contexts and privately. And the Crown Princess is also the godmother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra as you know.
Prins Oscars oväntade debut – på galamiddag utomlands! _*Svensk Dam

[ROYAL NORWAY]

To those who may be wondering about the television coverage (plus some other facts), read post 242, which I wrote yesterday evening.

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The Norwegian monarchy is the European monarchy with the highest support in the polls right now, especially among the young (with the Danish monarchy on a good second place). And that is most likely due to what is being referred to as ''King Harald's enormous personal popularity,'' which the media says is due to his empathy and good speeches. And that is IMO having a domino effect on the monarchy as an institution. But also unpopular politicians with one scandal after another, including both sex cases and tax issues.

It should also be said that Haakon and MM are on a very good place media-wise here now, which is pretty remarkable when you consider the period 2013-2017, when they were accused of breaking Norway's egalitarian roots by taking the children out of the public school and going holidaying with rich people on a yacht, etc. And there was also that Epstein thing with MM in 2019, which the court handled very well BTW.

But anyway, they seem to do everything right at the moment (and they are both very likeable personalities) - plus that it would be considered poor taste to criticise a chronically ill Crown Princess and her family.

And when it comes to the birthday girl, well, she looks like a confident and well-behaved teenager, and there has been a pretty good feeling about her coming of age here (especially after COVID).

However, that Durek guy just had to spoil that feeling by literally accusing Norway of being racist right before the celebrations were to start, which has led to yet another media storm involving him and Märtha, which has taken attention away from no other than Ingrid herself.
And it won't be better by having him present both tonight and tomorrow either (well, let's hope he is not booed when he arrives for the government-dinner at Deichman this evening, which would be terrible!).


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The 90-year-old Princess Astrid is (as you will know from the guest list) confirmed to attend the gala dinner at the palace tomorrow. And that despite having broken her femur in the winter, which is why she's been in a wheelchair recently.

Dagbladet-article from when she attended another dinner in May - link (google-translation - link).

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The tabloid VG writes that the two dinners cost almost 5 million NOK.
3,7 million for the government-dinner at Deichman tonight and 1,3 million for the gala dinner at the palace tomorrow.

VG-article (link) - google-translaton (link).

[W.Y.CII]

thank you ROYAL NORWAY, it's always great to see your sharing for NRF's big event. Thanks for the explanation regarding the attendance of Myanmar's ambassador, that's exactly what I would like to ask.

Are there any live stream that we could watch outside Norway? Edit: Never mind, you have mentioned that and I over look it.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

You're very welcome!

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This post will change during the evening.

See detailed information about the dinner (including the times for the arrivals) in post 194 by Tatiana Maria (link).

Live-links from VG (link) and Dagbladet (link). The guests have started arriving.
The royals will arrive 18:25 (about 60 min from now)

Many of the guests have arrived, including several ministers.

Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre (from the Labour Party) will arrive in 10-min (18:10).

Mayor of Oslo, Marianne Borgen (from the Socialist Left Party) has arrived. She waits for the prime minister.

The prime minister and wife are arriving.

The royals will be the next to arrive I think (with Durek).

Trygve Slagsvold Vedum is standing next to the prime minister (he is Minister of Finance and Leader of the Centre Party, which is the second party in the government). And as you can see, he is in his bunad.

The royals is soon arriving.

The President of the Storting (parliament), Masud Gharahkhani (from the Labour Party) has arrived.

The prime minister will give a speech at around 19:10 (50-min from now), while Ingrid will give one at around 1950:

The 90-year-old Princess Astrid has arrived in a wheelchair (I explain why in post 247). She looks amazing!

Look at Ingrid in white. Oh my lord.

They have all arrived (including Durek).

Looook at Ingrid!

She's walking with the prime minister.

Look at my King and royals, they are making me (a left-winged egalitarian) proud to be Norwegian!

[W.Y.CII]

Ingrid Alexandra is gorgeous! The gown is beautiful and suits her age. Sonja reused that stunning blue gown from her 80th birthday celebration!

[muriel]

Do we know if the dinner hosted by the government is black tie or white tie?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by muriel

Do we know if the dinner hosted by the government is black tie or white tie?

Black-tie. Watch it live in my post above.

Continuation of post 249 (which will change during the evening).

Here is a live-link from NRK as well, which is inside the dinner (link).

Live-link from TV2 (link). They will be live during all the main events, so will NRK.

The political commentator Harald Stanghelle is live on TV2 (he is very good as usual).

The royals will soon take their places around the tables.

They have arrived at the tables.

Ingrid is sitting between the King and the prime minister (very fitting).

The prime minister is speaking, praising the monarchy.

The prime minister said that we are grateful for that Ingrid is ours (yes, we are). Good speech!

[polyesco]

Some pictures
https://www.vg.no/rampelys/i/nWEE7Q/...s-bursdagsfest

ML and Durek
https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/19e8...=1000&3f2c3294

The Royal Family
https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/de7e...=1000&c3bc1ba3

IA
https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/858c...=1000&0abb2f31

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Belgium

Her Majesty The Queen
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Brabant

Elisabeth's style in Belgium is:

Official long form: HRH Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant
Official short form: HRH Princess Elisabeth
https://www.monarchie.be/en/royal-fa...ess-of-brabant
Unofficial, in the media: Crown Princess Elisabeth / Princess Elisabeth / the Crown Princess

The Norwegian royal court's guestlist uses "Her Royal Highness Princess Elisabeth - Duchess of Brabant".

https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.h...494&sek=112472

Originally Posted by Mbruno

In my opinion, it is not diplomatically correct to refer to HM The King of the Netherlands and HM The King of Spain as "HM King Willem-Alexander" and "HM King Felipe". Besides, if they wanted to use their regnal names rather than their official titles, Felipe would be "HM King Felipe VI", not "HM King Felipe".

On the guestlist (see above link) they were listed under the names of their countries, so that it wasn't necessary to append a territorial designation. As for using forenames, the Dutch royal court itself uses "King Willem-Alexander".

Royal Norway, enormous thanks for the livestream links, smart commentary, and wealth of background information! Interesting that these dinners are happening amidst a very royalist atmosphere concerning the crown princely family, but also against the backdrop of a storm over Durek Verrett's characterization of the Norwegian public. I also wonder how the Bislett Games/VG-lista-concert and the royal festivities will affect one another's TV ratings.

Originally Posted by LadyFinn

Ambassadør Daw Maw Maw, Ambassador of Myanmar to Norway, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in Norway
Ambassadør Ulla Cecilia Björner, Ambassador of Sweden to Norway
Ambassadør Louise Bang Jespersen, Ambassador of Denmark to Norway
Ambassadør Henri Schumacher, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland (resident in Denmark)

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY


And to those who may be wondering why Myanmar's ambassador to Norway will be present at the gala dinner at the palace (I mean it's not a country we have close relations with at the moment). Well, that's because she's the longest-serving current ambassador to Norway, and that's why she's always invited to such things.

Thank, you LadyFinn and Royal Norway!

Does anyone know why the Luxembourg ambassador was invited?


As the guests were arriving I noticed there were a number of younger women in bunads; were some of them staff members or are bunads simply more commonly worn by younger women?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

You're very welcome!

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Does anyone know why the Luxembourg ambassador was invited?

No idea!

Perhaps because he is the ambassador to four countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland).

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

As the guests were arriving I noticed there were a number of younger women in bunads; were some of them staff members or are bunads simply more commonly worn by younger women?

Where in the videos did you see that?
And bunads are commonly worn by both younger and older women.

You can read more about bunads, how expensive they are and who wears them in Ingrid's confirmation thread, where I explained it to Muhler in posts 44, 47 and 49 (link).

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Ingrid is now speaking.

She talked about democracy and community (a very grown-up speech).

She is getting a lot of praise for it (and deservedly so).

[iceflower]

Here are some galleries of today's celebration:


** tt.se gallery ** gettyimages gallery ** gtresnews gallery ** ppe gallery **


** dm article: Let the celebrations begin! Newly-engaged Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek lead..**

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Here is Ingrid's speech from the Royal House website (link).

There is no English version, but here is a google-translation (link).

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The Royal family leaves Deichman in about 40 min.

And then it's only to count down to tiaras and everything tomorrow.

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WOW, they are now saying on TV2 that there will be a ball after the dinner tomorrow with a polonaise and a father-daughter dance with Haakon and Ingrid.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Princejohnny25

I would have loved for Leonor to accompany her father. Didn't the Infantas wear tiaras and attend banquets before they were 18 when JC was King? But not to complain since we are being absolutely spoiled with this event. Bless the Norwegians.

Well, as a Princess, you could be under 18, wear no tiara but still attend like Princess Madeleine did when the Queen of Denmark turned 60 in 2000.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Princejohnny25

I would have loved for Leonor to accompany her father. Didn't the Infantas wear tiaras and attend banquets before they were 18 when JC was King? But not to complain since we are being absolutely spoiled with this event. Bless the Norwegians.

She would have only just returned from school in the UK. Also, there is plenty of time for her to mix with the royal counterparts. They do meet privately from time to time, and we tend not to know about these meetings.

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

WOW, they are now saying on TV2 that there will be a ball after the dinner tomorrow with a polonaise and a father-daughter dance with Haakon and Ingrid.

Lets hope we get to see some snippets of it.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

WOW, they are now saying on TV2 that there will be a ball after the dinner tomorrow with a polonaise and a father-daughter dance with Haakon and Ingrid.

Hopefully there will be some Coverage of it like it was when Haakon turned 18.