The Norwegian Royal Family held a magnificent Ball at the Royal Palace of Oslo on this day in 2005, 20 years ago, marking the end of a long year of celebrations for the Norwegian Centenary, which included State Visits to Britain, Denmark, and to and from Sweden.
Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Märtha Louise and Princess Astrid joined King Harald V and Queen Sonja for the Centenary Ball at the Royal Palace of Oslo, though Crown Princess Mette-Marit was not present because she was just days away from giving birth to Prince Sverre Magnus.
On the day 100 years earlier, King Haakon took the oath to the constitution in the Storting, and Sunday’s ball formed a worthy conclusion to the celebration of Norway’s 100 years as an independent monarchy.
The Palace Ball is part of the Royal House’s celebration of 100 years since Prince Carl and Princess Maud came to Norway as the country’s new King and Queen.
The ballet will begin with a grand gala polonaise that will take guests on a tour through the Palace’s many halls and salons. The Armed Forces Staff Band will then play for dancing.
More than 550 guests are invited to the ball, and these guests will represent a broad cross-section of Norway’s population.
Among other things, the country’s county governors have helped find guests who represent all the counties and who come from different municipalities.
Five couples have been selected from each county to represent local voluntary organizations, local cultural life, municipal politics or the local press.
Queen Sonja wore Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara and her Drapers’ Company Brooch.
Queen Sonja wore a coral pink pleated organza ball gown with a tiara and other jewelry by Queen Maud. The dress was voted the people’s favorite by a weekly magazine, and could not have been more fitting when the people were invited to a party at the Palace.
Princess Märtha Louise was in King Olav’s Gift Tiara
Princess Astrid wore Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Circlet.
Dear everyone,
On this day, November 27, it is exactly 100 years since my grandfather, King Haakon, took the oath to the Norwegian constitution in the Storting. It was a landmark day in Norway’s history – and it marked the end of a year in which people had been uncertain about the future form of government and whether there would be war in the country. The doubt and uncertainty were replaced by an election of a king, and faith in the future was confirmed with a promise.
1905 was a turning point in Norway’s history. At the same time, the history of the country and my family became intertwined.
It was an expectant and excited little family that landed on Vippetangen on November 25, 100 years ago. The weather was terrible, with snow and wind. Nevertheless, it is said that Queen Maud’s first words in Norway were: “I like the air here. – I will be happy in this country!”
Later that day, in a speech to the President of the Storting, Berner, King Haakon followed up and stated the following: “Ever since we set foot on Norwegian soil, we have encountered a warmth of heart that we hope will continue to radiate towards us. Then it will be quite easy for the two of us to take up the great task that lies ahead of us. I take the reception that we have received from the port and up here as a guarantee that we truly have the people with us.”
It would turn out that my grandparents had the people with them, and a close and trusting relationship gradually developed. My father, King Olav, experienced the same thing when he took over the royal duties. Already on his day of authority, Crown Prince Olav said: “We all hope that we will one day be able to gather in one kingdom, – and personally I will consider myself happy and have a big enough goal in life, if I could in any way contribute to this.” It must be safe to say that King Olav did his part to develop the good relationship between the Royal House and the people.
Something that has greatly developed these close ties has been all the travels around the country. King Haakon and Queen Maud set out early on to meet compatriots in their local environment and get to know their living conditions. Throughout the early years, they did their utmost to fulfill this through coronation trips and various round trips. King Olav followed this tradition, and later it has been a cherished task for us to follow in their footsteps.
In this way, we have experienced Norway’s rich diversity in culture and working life, we have become acquainted with the commitment and living conditions of local communities, and we have experienced the country’s variation in terms of nature and different characteristics. Everywhere we have been met with exceptional hospitality.
Today we are the hosts, and we have invited as many people to our home as we can accommodate. As far as I know, there will be around 550 guests present. Here are compatriots from south to north, – young and old, – from all counties and from a variety of organizations and associations.
It is said that when Queen Maud first entered the vestibule of the Palace, she exclaimed: “But it’s really pretty here!” It must have been music to the ears of all the hard workers who had, in record time, got the Palace ready for the big party. They had one week, from the time the royal election was over until the main characters entered the Palace. That week, there was not a single cleaning lady to be found in Kristiania – everyone was busy at the Palace!
We have also prepared for a great visit. Everything has been cleaned and decorated, and now we are all looking forward to celebrating the 100th anniversary with you.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone – and ask you to join me in a toast to the 100th anniversary that we are celebrating tonight!
The Norwegian Official Visit to Britain in 2005
The Norwegian Banquet at the Royal Palace of Stockholm in 2005
The Norwegian Independence Centenary Gala in Copenhagen in 2005
The Swedish Royal Visit to Norway in 2005
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