Various News and Discussions about Haakon and Mette-Marit

[Dennism]

There was a story on the NPR(National Public Radio) in the US today about the king and paternity leave and the conference and everything. Rather short but it's nice to hear about these things on the radio here in the US. Go to the page and it's the last story on the bottom of the page. Real Player or WMP will come up. Listen and Enjoy:

http://www.npr.org/rundowns/rundown.php?pr...n-2004&prgId=17

[norwegianne]

And I haven't got either of those players... Is there a written report somewhere of what was said?

[Dennism]

Here is a transcript of it of the NPR interview:

The host Madeleine Brand:


In Norway, a debate over paternity leave has received national attention. In a country of generous social benefits, it's not taking leave per se that is contentious, but the person who wants to take it. Crown Prince Haakon wants to take the 4 weeks of paid paternity leave he's due because his wife is about to have a baby. But Norway's King, Harald, is sick and the Constitution says that the prince has to step in and perform all the royal tasks. With us now to talk about the country's leadership crisis, is Lars Bevanger, a reporter in Oslo. Hi, Lars.

Lars: Hello there.

Madeleine: So about 80% of Norwegian men actually take paid paternity leave(Writer's note: Wow&#33 Why shouldn't the prince?

Lars: Well, that's a very good question and a lot of people here indeed think that he should take his paid paternity leave. However, it is a constitutional problem because the Constitution states quite clearly that when the king is ill, the crown prince is crown prince regent and has to perform all of the duties of the king. And the only way he can get out of it, is if he himself is ill or if he's abroad. And he is neither. So the Constitution quite clearly says that he has to do the king's duties. Now the big problem might be that his baby is due around the same day that he has to attend a government conference. So we'll have to wait and see whether if the baby is on time and how much of a crisis that would present.

Madeleine: So he doesn't just take on ceremonial duties. He actually functions as a head of state?

Lars: He does. Norway's a constitutional monarchy and very much like Britain, the head of state i.e. the King in Norway, has to be present at a government conference in Norway, once every two weeks. Basically to sign any government propositions or new laws. If the King is not present, this conference can't get underway basically so some royal, in this case now the crown prince, has to be present.

Madeleine: So the prince wants to take his paternity leave instead. What is the sentiment there among Norwegians? Do they support him?

Lars: Well, it looks like most people do support him. Norwegians are pretty laid-back when it comes to royalty. They say it's fine to have a royal family as long as they don't think they're anything special. It's a very egalitarian society so a lot of people say that "Well, if he's going to be dad, why shouldn't he have his paternity leave like everyone else?" However, there is another group who say that "if he wants to be a royal, he has to take his royal duties seriously. So there's no question about it. He will have to go through his duties as a reigning monarch, a new father or not."
It might be a solution though that this government conference, if if should happen to end up on the same day as the actual birth, would be postponed. That would be up to the Norwegian government to decide.

Madeleine: And so what's the royal family saying and any predictions on what will happen?

Lars: They're lying low at the moment.They're not saying much quite wisely so, I think. But the indications we're getting from the royal palace here is that the crown prince will indeed perform as many royal duties as he must but he has also indicated that he wants to take as much time as possible off to be with his new family. And I think, to be honest, he will meet quite a lot of understanding from the Norwegian government and indeed also from the Norwegian people.

Madeleine: Lars Bevanger is a journalist based in Oslo Norway. Thanks so much for speaking with us.

Lars: No problem.

[Alexandria]

Well, that sounds nice that the Norwegian people support Crown Prince Haakon's upcoming role as a father and would not put up too much of a fuss if he wanted to spend some time with his new baby and Mette-Marit. And I think it's also very generous that the government is willing to compromise a bit and meet Haakon half way on this issue.

[norwegianne]

Good interview. Thanks dennis.

[Dennism]

No problem. You're welcome.

[Dennism]

Two more photos of them arriving from Corbis.

1

2

[theprincess]

I don't like CP Mette Marit's outfit...she is dressed way to casual. Especially, since CP Haakon is wearing a suit.

[Eliza]

I don't like CP Mette Marit's outfit...she is dressed way to casual. Especially, since CP Haakon is wearing a suit.

I agree...she shld hve made an effort to dress better. what she wore here is just too casual esp if cp is in a suit.

[defalco]

I don't like CP Mette Marit's outfit...she is dressed way to casual. Especially, since CP Haakon is wearing a suit.

I agree...she shld hve made an effort to dress better. what she wore here is just too casual esp if cp is in a suit.

Really? Her outfit is what I loved! I adored how casual it was. It made her look really natural and comfortable.

[theprincess]

Originally posted by defalco@May 24th, 2004 - 9:50 pm

Really? Her outfit is what I loved! I adored how casual it was. It made her look really natural and comfortable. [/quote]
Taken from the Princess Martha-Louise & Ari Behn forum: an article from newspaper Dagbladet which discusses before Norweigan princesses outfits at the wedding.


"According to newspaper Dagbladet, Crown Princess Mette-Marit also came
under fashion fire in Spain for coming down the red carpet upon
arrival dressed in jeans.

Norwegian fashion commentators that spoke to Dagbladet agreed that
this was a faux pas, even though the arrival was not part of any
official program." "

.........................
IMO opinion, jeans are so cumfy...but once Mette-Marit became a crown princess her jeans should be worn only for around the palace.

[saxon]

Does the Crown Princess have ladies in waiting or fashion advisers to help her dress for her role as a Crown Princess ?.....just wondering

[hrhcp]

theprincess    Posted: May 25th, 2004 - 12:08 am

"According to newspaper Dagbladet, Crown Princess Mette-Marit also came
under fashion fire in Spain for coming down the red carpet upon
arrival dressed in jeans.

How come everybody gets so "fussed" with blue jeans, when black jeans are so acceptable. If black is ok, then imho blue is ok too.

[carlota]

Originally posted by saxon@May 25th, 2004 - 1:28 am
Does the Crown Princess have ladies in waiting or fashion advisers to help her dress for her role as a Crown Princess ?.....just wondering

sure. nearly all royals have a fashion adviser.

[konan]

About Mette wearing jeans at her arrival: It isn't a big mistake, but I think that she must be aware about her image as a princess. She really makes a better impression when she weares much more representative clothes like a nice comfortable pantalon with a jacket or blouse. Look at Maxima and Mathilde: they really are goodlooking and really act like princesses ought to do.
At home when Mette's playing footbal with her son or is on vacation or another private thing she can wear jeans. I really think she must do better about clothing.

[defalco]

Well, I still loved the jeans.

[Gabriella]

I am always amazed by Mette-Marit. She is so naturally beautiful. She has such a "glow" about her. And to think, the look didn't take 5 pounds of makeup to achieve.

[Elizajane]

Originally posted by Gabriella@Jun 25th, 2004 - 4:11 pm
I am always amazed by Mette-Marit. She is so naturally beautiful. She has such a "glow" about her. And to think, the look didn't take 5 pounds of makeup to achieve.

Gabriella, I was thinking the same thing. No 5 pounds of makeup needed for Mette-Marit to glow. There have been many kings and queens in the past (and Presidents, too, over here in the US) who haven't been exactly what the masses have wanted, but one cannot deny that they still remain in the history books. After all of us are dead and gone, those history books will reflect that Norway's next queen will be CP Mette-Marit. You just cannot deny that fact.

And, "why" deny that fact anyway? No one knows, not even me, how great MM might fulfill her role as queen? All of the criticism, I believe, is in the most part "groundless". Haakon is a pretty smart individual, and if he chose her as his wife, he must have seen her potential. I think her inner self is made of "steel" to withstand her critics and still come out looking beautiful, fresh, and "on-the-go". She didn't even take the full maternity leave she was intitled to.

And, I'm sick to death about this "jeans bit". I wonder if anyone noted that Princess Theodora of Greece (or of the Hellenes) also was wearing jeans when she arrived at the airport for the "Spanish wedding"? I've read that funds for the Royal Family of Norway is "sort of in the red" ~ and maybe Mette-Marit is aware of this, therefore, not wearing "top flight wear" on the plane makes sense to me. She is certainly not a "clotheshorse" ~ and, I believe that's just fine with her.

Elizajane

[Genevieve]

I also agree with what Elizajane and Jasl have said. Being a Crown Princess and Queen is much more than showing up at events now and then well dressed, smiling and shaking hands. Even to do that day after day can be exhausting.

And many, many successful people past and present have achieved many great things without degrees or diplomas. Having a degree or diploma is only one measure of thousands of others of a successful person.

[lucys]

Just as there are rumors about Maxima's possible pregnancy, I saw the same rumor about Mette-Marit. Any word in the Norwegian press on the possibility?