Opening of the Princess Ingrid Alexandra sculpture park.

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

The Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park opened on 19 May. Princess Ingrid Alexandra stood at the unveiling of the sculptures and hundreds of small and big guests were in place in the Palace Park.
The Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park is a park from children - for children. It is established on the occasion of the King and Queen's 25th jubilee, and both the King and Queen, Crown Prince Couple, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, were present along with Princess Ingrid Alexandra at the opening.

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

His Majesty King Harald gave the opening speech and wished all children a warm welcome. 

This day is a day we in Royal Family have looked forward to. For many years we wanted a sculpture park especially for children. And finally it stands ready, initially with three sculptures. Two of them are brand new, the third stood at Akershus Fortress. Eventually, there will be more. They are here for you, they are to take on, and not just for decoration.

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

And the kids took King Harald's words - it did not take long from the unveiling of the sculptures when they were already in use.The sculptures are the first of a nationwide contest that will run for several years and result in a total of 10 sculptures. Sculpture park is a gift from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB.The two new sculptures that were unveiled, a Geometric fox and rabbit in trouble created by Sofie Sollid Gjertsen, from Setermoen school and Emma Hansen, from Ballangen School. Their two contributions were selected from hundreds of contributions from northern Norway. The kids make the characters, while craftsmen have built the sculptures.

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

In addition to the two, "Pillow Man" by Jonas Gjerstad, Martin Formation and Mathias Svendsen from Sagdalen skole was borrowed from the sculpture trail at Akershus Fortress.Approximately 900 kindergarten children were guests at the event. Together with their adult companions, they were served bowls and juice of Akiko's employees. 2500 bowls and 400 liters of sap went with.

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Norwegian roundup: King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon

Photo: Cornelius Poppe

Today, King Harald was present at the Supreme Court when Justice Tore Schei had his last working day.
Justice Chief is the head of the Supreme Court, and as such ranked fourth in the country, after the King, President of the Storting and the Prime Minister. All four attended the farewell ceremony of the Justice Chief today.
Tore Schei goes retiring after leading the nation's highest court since 2002. The Supreme Court has 20 judges, including the Justice Chief, and its main task is to seek clarification of the law and legal development.

Photo: Asgeir Spange Brekke, Forsvarsdepartementet

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Haakon laid the first stone of the new main base for the fighter aircrafts in Orland. When the new F-35 fighter planes arrive, the squadron will be built to be an important element in the implementation of effective education and training at the air base in Orland.
The new building will be on the entire 10,000 square meters and will accommodate two F-35 squadrons and a maintenance squadron. In addition, it will also contain eight simulators for operation planning, training and exercises.
The building will be ready in late 2016 so that it can cater for the new aircrafts being delivered in 2017. Before the ceremony, the Crown Prince had a briefing on the construction and status of the project by the CEO of the agency, Frode Sjursen.

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Condolences from King Harald to the President of China.

Photo: Cathrine Wessel

Condolences from His Majesty King Harald of Norway to the President of China, His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping after the earthquake in the Yunnan province.

President Xi JinpingPresident of The Peoples Republic of China Excellency,I was deeply saddened to learn about the devastating earthquake in the county of Ludian and the surrounding areas in the Yunnan province on 3 August that has caused so many deaths and such widespread destruction. On behalf of myself and the Norwegian people I take this opportunity to send my condolences to you personally, and I ask you to convey my condolences to those bereaved and my sympathy to those otherwise affected and to the people of The Peoples Republic of China.
Harald R

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King Harald inspects the guard.

Photo: Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix

"Good morning, Lord King" greeted the 800 Guards in parade uniform with when HM the King and H.R.H. the Crown Prince stood ready for inspection at Huseby camp in Oslo today. The inspection of His Majesty the King's Guard is traditionally held in June each year and is characterized by precision, order and detail.
Two of the guardsmen were given special awards. The King presented the "King's watch" to the best Guards, Lance Corporal Christian Jakobsen from the 2nd farm partnership. Gardens honor for best officer went to Lieutenant Henry Hove from 5th Guards Company.

Photo: Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix

The inspection was open to the public. Many young and older had found their way to the Farm camp and saw the impressive music and drill demonstration that closed the program.
After inspection and demonstration the King and Crown Prince attendsed a reception in the Great Commission.

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German State Visit to Norway - Day 1.

Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

On 11 June, Their Majesties the King and Queen recieved the President of Germany, HE President Joachim Gauck and Mrs. Daniela Schadt, on their state visit to Norway. True to tradition, the welcoming ceremony took place at the Palace Square.

Photo: Berit Roald/NTB Scanpix

The state visit will last three days, during which the program the first two days will take place in Oslo. The last day precursor in Trondheim, where Crown Prince Haakon will accompany President Gauck and Mrs. Schadt.
President Gauck and Mrs. Schadt were accompanied to the Palace Square by the Crown Prince, where they were greeted by King Harald and Queen Sonja. The solemn ceremony of a state visit includes playback of both countries' national anthems and inspection of the Guard of Honour of His Majesty the King's Guard.
After the ceremony outside in the square, followed the King and Queen and Crown Prince guests entered to the castle, for the gift exchange and formal photography in the Bird Room, where Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner joined them.

Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, Det kongelige hoff

At a state visit is a tradition that head of state who are visiting lay a wreath at the National Monument in memory of those who fell during World War 2. The King and Queen accompanied President Gauck and Mrs. Schadt to Akershus Fortress, where the ceremony took place in the morning.
Following the wreath laying ceremony, President Gauck had a meeting with Parliament President Olemic Thommessen. He also met with Prime Minister Erna Solberg, followed by a press conference.

Photo: Berit Roald/NTB Scanpix

Meanwhile, Queen Sonja and Mrs. Schadt Elvebakken visited a high school. Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang, welcomed the Queen and Mrs. Schadt accompanied by Education Minister Thorbjorn Røe Isaksen.
To end the day, the Royal Couple held a gala dinner in the Banqueting Hall at the Royal Palace in honor of the state visit. Both the King and the President spoke at the dinner. The Crown Prince, Crown Princess and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner were present.

Photo:  Audun Braastad / NTB scanpix

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King Harald in France for D-Day 70th anniversary

Yesterday and today King Harald joined several world leaders and head of states in Normandy, France to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing that happened in 1944, and has been called the greatest invasion in human history. King Harald has previously honored both the 50th and the 60th anniversary of the same day.

Photo Terje Bendiskby, kongehuset

On Thursday, King Harald cut a ribbon along with mayor Geráld Aniel and opened three streets that were given the names "Rue Nprvége", "Rue d'Oslo" and "Rue Narvik." During his stay he has also laid a wreath at a memorial and held a reception for norwegian war veterans.

Photo: Regus Duvignau, AFP Getty Images

On Friday he met with other world leaders for a group photo at Benouville Castle. He is pictured above with King Phillippe of the Belgians, the U.S President Barack Obama, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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King Olav V's Cancer Research Prize.

Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, Det kongelige hoff.

King Harald awarded the King Olav V's Cancer Research Prize to Professor Harald Stenmark at the Norwegian Radium Hospital. Sten Mark's research has made ​​it possible to develop more targeted therapies. The Cancer Society is behind the prize, and General Secretary Anne-Lise Ryel held the welcome speech at the awards ceremony at the Banqueting Hall at the University of Oslo.

Photo: AL/NTB Scanpix.

Professor Stenmark got King Olav V's cancer research prize for his studies of how cells develop into cancer. He is particularly known for his research on how a cell develops into a cancer cell.
Stenmark is a professor of medicine at the University of Oslo and has led the Centre for Cancer Biomedicine at the Norwegian Radium Hospital since 2007 .

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix.

King Olav V's Cancer Research Prize is awarded every year to a cancer researcher who has helped promote the Norwegian cancer research quality and scope. The award goes to the ultimate full range of Norwegian cancer research. The King Olav V's Cancer Research Fund was established on 29 April 1992 in memory of King Olav V. The prize winner receives an amount of 1 million , and the badge has high prestige in the Norwegian research community.

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Anniversary at Karpedammen.

Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

On 19 May, King Harald attended the celebration of the 200th anniversary of when Prince Christian Frederik created the government and ministries in Norway in March 1814.

Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

The celebration took place at the Carp Pond at Akershus Fortress. Prime Minister Erna Solberg welcomed the King - as well as current and former department employees and four former prime ministers: Kåre Willoch, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Kjell Magne Bondevik and Jens Stoltenberg.

Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

The event embraced both speeches, music and other elements from the outdoor stage at the Carp Pond. Tone Danielsen and Kai Remlov presented a glimpse of the government offices' 200 years of history in 20 minutes. The Royal Norwegian Navy Band stood for several musical performances, and finished it off with the 1812 overture.

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Queen Margrethe unveils statue in Norway.

Photo: Agnés Colbert ©

Queen Margrethe unveiled a statue of King Christian Frederik at Eidsvoll space in front of the Parliament on 19 May. Both the Danish Regent Couple and the Norwegian Regent Couple attended the ceremony.

Photo: Agnés Colbert ©

The statue of King Christian Frederik is a gift from the government to Parliament in celebration of the Constitution's 200th anniversary. The statue is 3.5 meters tall and is designed by the sculptor Kristian Blystad.

That the Norwegians now want a statue of him, gets me to the heart, said Queen Margrethe - and therefore I will with the greatest pleasure unveil his monument.

Photo: Agnés Colbert ©

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Constitution Celebration in Eidsvoll

Photo: Berit Roald / NTB scanpix

Today the Norwegian Constitution turns 200 years! The main celebration of this anniversary year took place in Eidsvoll. Both King Harald and Queen Sonja and the Crown Prince Couple attended - along with both the Danish Regent couple and the Swedish Royal couple. 

The Parliament's gala performance from the park outside Eidsvollbygningen collects the celebration of the Constitution, the Council and 200 years of peace in the region. Artists from all Scandinavian countries contributed. 

Photo: Anette Karlsen/ NTB scanpix

Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, King Harald and Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit arrived Eidsvoll Building, at 19:00. They were welcomed by the President of the Storting Olemic Thommessen - and "Prince Christian Frederik" and his two adjutants. The royal procession was accompanied to the Royal stands and gala performance in could begin.

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Norwegian National Day 2014.

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

200 years ago, Norway got a Constitution and today the whole country is celebrating it along with National Day. Per tradition, the Royal Family greeted the people who gathered at the parade in Oslo from the palace balcony. Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and Marius Borg Høiby greeted first the children at the traditional Children's Parade in Asker, outside Skaugum. 

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

King Haakon and Queen Maud instituted the custom of greeting the parade in Oslo from the palace balcony in 1906. The practice has been upheld ever since. The only exceptions were in 1910 when Queen Maud's father, the English King Edward VII was buried, and during the war years 1940-1944. 

Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

Tonight will be a big celebration of the Constitution Bicentennial at Eidsvoll, where it all started. King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Prince Henrik of Denmark, King XVI Carl Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia of Sweden will be present.

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King Harald and Queen Sonja hold reception for Norwegian mayors.

Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, Det kongelige hoff.

On the occasion of the Constitution's Bicentennial, King Harald and Queen Sonja held a reception for the country's mayors at the Royal Palace on 15th May. Both the King and Queen, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, were present.

Photo: Anette Karlsen, NTB scanpix

- We thought it was time to invite you on a return visit - since we've been fortunate enough to visit many of you on your hometowns, said King Harald on his welcome address to the mayors.
- For us, the Royal Family you are valuable local guides that give us insight and understanding of life in all parts of Norway. You show us the finest you have, but also tells us about life and reality as it is. That we greatly appreciate. We are a lucky country, a fortunate people. We'll be extra thankful when this year celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Constitution. 

Photo: Anette Karlsen, NTB scanpix

On the occasion of Constitution Bicentennial, all the country's mayors have been invited to Oslo on 14 and 15 May. The reception at the Palace rounded off the visit, which included both visits to Parliament and a gala dinner at the Oslo City Hall. 

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Norwegian Royals at Parliament.

Photo: Berit Roald/NTB Scanpix

The Royal Family was present today at the meeting in the Parliament to celebrate the constitution's anniversary, and it was the first time Princess Ingrid Alexandra took made an official visit to the White Room.

On the constitution anniversary is a tradition that the Parliament holds a special anniversary meeting in the days before 17 May. This was done both in 1964 and in 1989. The main goal is to create a solemn celebration of the anniversary in the Parliament.

Photo: Berit Roald/NTB Scanpix

Both the King and Queen, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner attended all at the anniversary meeting of the parliamentary hall today. For Princess Ingrid Alexandra's part, it was her first official visit to the White Room.

For the Parliament, it is gratifying that Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who represents the future, attended with the rest of the Royal Family the meeting today where we all celebrated the Constitution - not least because young people are the main target group for the anniversary, said Parliament President Olemic Thommessen.

On Wednesday night, the King and Queen and Crown Prince Couple attended the gala dinner on the occasion of the Constitution Bicentennial at the Oslo City Hall. They were welcomed by Mayor Fabian Stang.

Photo:  Lise Åserud/NTB Scanpix

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Israeli State Visit to Norway.

On 12 May, the Norwegian Royals recieved H.E President Shimon Peres at the Palace Square in Oslo as he arrived for a two-day state visit.

Photo: Liv Osmundsen, Det kongelige hoff

The welcoming ceremony began at 10:00 am, when President Peres arrived at the Palace Square accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon. The Israeli and the Norwegian national anthem were played before President Shimon Peres inspected the Guard of Honour. King Harald presented the representatives of the official Norway to the president, until they went together into the castle's main gate.
The Official photos and the gift exchange took place inside the Palace. The photos were taken per tradition in the Bird Room, where both the Crown Prince, Crown Princess Princess and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, participated. President Peres met the press before he and the King traveled together to Akershus Fortress.

Photo: Berit Roald/NTB Scanpix 

Photo: Berit Roald/NTB Scanpix 

At Akershus Brigadier John Einar HYNA welcomed the King and the President. It is tradition that the heads of state on their State visit to Norway lay a wreath at the National Monument in memory of those who fell during World War 2.

Photo: Erlend Aas, the Royal Court

After the solemn ceremony King Harald and President Peres headed back to the Royal Palace, where the King hosted an official luncheon on the occasion of the state visit.

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King Harald attends the commemoration of Liberation Day and National Vereran Day.

King Harald attended the commemoration of Liberation Day and National Veteran Day. 

Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB scanpix

Liberation Day has traditionally been a day where Norway honors their war heroes from World War II. In 2010 Parliament decided that May 8 mark should be expanded to be a national veterandag.

Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB scanpix

The day is marked with a series of events across the country, as well as a national celebration of the Akershus Fortress. Today attended both King Harold, Parliamentary president, prime minister and defense minister in the ceremony.

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians in Norway.

Along with Queen Mathilde, King Philippe  presents the friendship visits to countries that are close to Belgium. They arrived in Oslo on April 29th directly from Stockholm, after an official visit to Sweden.

A visit to the Parliament was first on the agenda of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. The King and Queen were received by President of the Storting Olemic Thom Mass and were given a brief visit to White Hall before further talks with the President of the Storting.

Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

After visits by parliamentary president and prime minister, the Belgian royal couple traveled to the Folk Museum in Bygdøy, where King Harald and Queen Sonja recieved them. About 80 children with Norwegian and Belgian flags also appeared in the courtyard to welcome.

Photo: Berit Roald / NTB scanpix

After the official photography in the Bird Room, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted a lunch at the Royal Palace in honor of the visit. In addition to the two royal couples, both Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner were present.

Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

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Condolences.

Message from King Harald V to the President of the Republic of Korea after the loss of the Sewol ferry.

Photo: Cathrine Wessel, royalcourt.no

Her Excellency Park Geun-hye
President of the Republic of Korea
Seoul

Excellency,

I was very saddened to hear about the tragic loss of so many lives with the capsizing of the ferry Sewol.
On behalf of myself and the Norwegian people, I extend my condolences to you personally and ask you to convey my deepest sympathy to the beraved families.

Harald R

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King Harald holds audience with children.

King Harald recieved children from Kapellveien kindergarten at the Royal Palace in Oslo on 14 March.

The children were received by the King at the Ministers lounge. Then, the children proposed their own constitution and it was submitted on the charts, and King Harald heard about the various paragraphs and thoughts behind. 

Photo: Terje Bendiksby, NTB Scanpix

The young guests were also served during the visit, with juice and buns from the palace’s own kitchen.

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Message from King Harald to Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

Her Excellency, Ms Michelle Bachelet
President of the Republic of Chile
La Moneda
Santiago de Chile

Excellency,
On the occasion of your second inauguration as President of the Republic of Chile, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations and my best wishes to you personally and to your family, and my hopes for the welfare and prosperity of the people of the Republic of Chile.
                                                                                                                                                Harald  R

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Norwegian Royals + Princess Beatrix in Holmenkollen

Today the Norwegian Royal Family and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands attended the Holmenkollen Ski Jumping event in Holmenkollen, Norway.

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