Saturday 17 May 2014

Norway's birthday party

Constitution Day in Norway is usually an opportunity for parties, parades and a royal appearance on the palace balcony in Oslo.  But this year's event is an even bigger, more symbolic event - today marks the 200th anniversary of the Constitution of Norway.  And at the forefront of the celebrations marking two centuries since the country became independent will be the Norwegian Royal Family.


The Norwegian Royal Family at one of the events this week marking the 200th anniversary of Norway's independence and its constitution

The royals have been at several events through the week to mark this major event.  On May 14th 2014, King Harald and Queen Sonja along with the Crown Prince and Princess attended a banquet in Oslo town hall and the next day they were joined by Princess Ingrid and Princess Astrid at a special commemoration in the Norwegian Parliament.  


The future king of Norway and his heiress, Haakon and Ingrid, at the celebrations of their country's 200th birthday held at the Parliament in Oslo on May 14th 2014

The royals, apart from Ingrid, then went on to a celebratory reception for the mayors of Norway but it's Constitution Day itself when the royals will really take centre stage.  Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit will greet the children's parade in Asker before joining King Harald and Queen Sonja to celebrate the bigger parade that will wind its way through the streets of Oslo to the Royal Palace.  


Norway's royals at the lunch for the country's mayors held on May 15th 2014 in Oslo

In the evening, King Harald will lead the royals at an event as Eidsvoll - where the Constitution was signed.  They will be joined by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden and Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark for the event.  The king began the year by talking of the importance of the constitution and the celebrations for its anniversary in his New Year's Speech.  And today those celebrations reach their crescendo as the royals join their fellow citizens in a party 200 years in the making.




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