[Norway] Family gathers for Christmas service

Marius (far left) is getting cuter and cuter by the minute. WOW!

Those kids are just SO HAPPY to be there!

Scandinavian Royals visit Ground Zero (October 2011)

[Norway] [VIDEO] This is how the Royal Family celebrated their national day this week!

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children, Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus were present at the parade at the door of their home in Oslo.

May 17 is a very special day in the Norwegian Calendar. The whole country celebrates its Constitution by this national day. For the occasion, thousands of citizens hit the streets to watch the parade where students from many schools all over the Scandinavian country make an appearance in costumes with flags of the nation in their hands.

As usual and according to tradition, the Norwegian royal family presided over the celebrations . First, the Prince Haakon and his family greeted the people at the door of their residence, the palace of Skaugum (just outside Oslo), as a procession of students from more than 30 schools from the area were parading.

Dressed in the 'bunad' (traditional Norwegian costume) and stirring vigorously the flag, to the delight of those present, Crown Princess Mette-Marit had to pick up her son Prince Sverre, who was a little tired. A little later, the young Marius - very cute, by the way -  Mette-Marit's first son joined his family after his own school paraded in front of the palace.

The family dog, Milly Kakao, joined the celebration by encouraging even small Sverre, who decided he wanted to be next to your pet and not his mother's arms.

Those kids were really having fun!

Princess Ingrid Alexandra didn't stop holding her dad's hand for a second.

If he was my dad, I wouldn't either.

Marius joined his family after his school paraded.

And then the family dog, Milly Kakao, also joined the family.

After the parade, Haakon and Mette Marit of Norway, as well as their children, took off their costumes and joined the king Harald and Sonja at the Royal Palace balcony to greet the immense crowds that were waiting for them.

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Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja start visit to Slovenia and Croatia

This monday, Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja began a two-day state visit to the Republic of Slovenia. On Thursday they will travel to the Republic of Croatia, on a state visit as well. In both countries, the Norwegian Royals will meet with government and political leaders and visit historical sites.

Their delegation is mostly industrial and entrepreneurial. Both visited countries have expressed interest in the Norwegian know-how in the field of environment, energy and the defense industry, as well as mapping and tunneling technology, so reports the newspaper Aftenposten.

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[Pre-wedding Dinner] That daughter from another mother

Queen Sonja of Norway

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

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Queen Margrethe, King Harald & Queen Sonja - or how this wedding made me miss the Scandinavian royal weddings!

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Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway attended the Pre-Wedding Party on April 28th's evening. Seeing them attend really reminded me and made me miss the royal weddings in Scandinavia and all the gang: Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his wife, Mette-Marit did not attend. Neither did Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and his wife, Mary. Let's not even add Martha-Louise, her handsome husband Ari Behn, Princess Madeleine and let's get him married soon Prince Carl Philip. Thank God Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attended to save me from further dismay! In previous weddings, as they are really close, they all attended and the dozens of photos and videos where we could see them laughing and bonding were always the life of the party. It did not happen here, the Windsors(-Mountbatten) do not seem to be that close to any foreign royal family except the Greek one (I am exaggerating, I know. But you get my point).

Another thing that was striking was the fact that Prince William and bride, Kate Middleton, did not attend their own Pre-Wedding Party that was hosted by Lady Elizabeth Anson (pictured above with Queen Margrethe). And the party they threw themselves and attended yesterday, the wedding night, had no foreign royals in their guest lists. It gave me this little impression of two parallel worlds going on that one of the only low points for the royal watcher that I am. But it is just a detail. But still important for me.

Changing topics, Queen Sonja looked beautiful in red, which a flamenco vibe to her hairpiece. Queen Margrethe looked... faithful to herself. Missed her smily husband too.

Royal weddings from the past - King Harald V and Queen Sonja (1968)

Crown Prince Harald got engaged to Sonja Haraldsen in March 1968. They had been dating for nine years, although this had been kept secret because of opposition to her non-royal status. The Crown Prince made it clear to his father, then King Olav V, that he would remain unmarried for life unless he could marry her. This would in effect have put an end to the rule of his family and probably to the monarchy in Norway; he was the sole heir to the throne. Faced with having to choose one of his relatives from the Danish Royal Family, the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein or even the Grand Dukes of Oldenburg as his new heir in place of his son, Olav V consulted the government for advice and the result was that the couple were wed on August 29th, 1968, at Oslo Domkirke in Oslo. She thus acquired the style of Royal Highness and the title of Crown Princess of Norway. To watch the video of their wedding, click here.

[Norway] King Harald and Queen Sonja's wedding on August 29th, 1968 (after a 9-year secret courtship)

[Norway] Palace confirms royal US tour for King Harald and Queen Sonja

Plans for the trip have been known for months, but the palace confirmed this week that it will take place October 11-22, and include visits to Minnesota and Iowa.

In the two Midwestern states, the royals will meet with state government officials and visit Norwegian-American communities and institutions.

In New York, they’ll be among the guests of honor at the 100th anniversary of the American Scandinavian Foundation, which also is expected to attract most of the other Nordic heads of state, reported newspaper Aftenposten.

King Harald and Queen Sonja will also visit other Norwegian institutions in New York and take part in several cultural and business programs.

In May the royal couple will make state visits to Slovenia and Croatia. King Harald cut back on lengthy official foreign travel after undergoing surgery for bladder cancer and, later, heart trouble. He’s been back on the sailing circuit in recent summers, though, and has declared himself fit and healthy. He turned 74 last month.

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