King Harald V, Prime Minister Jonas Gahl Stoor and many other Norwegians pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday after 70 years on the throne. Norway and England have a long history of close ties, especially since King Harald and the late Queen were cousins.
“For nearly a century Her Majesty has devoted her life to the service of the Commonwealth of Nations, following the people of England through good times and bad, in times of happiness and sorrow. Son of Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s new Monarch Charles III.
The King of Norway, Harald R.
they have the same great grandparents England’s Princess Maud’s parents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. After the Norwegian monarchy was re-established in 1905, she eventually became Norway’s first queen, and she also became the grandmother of today’s King Harald. As many other grandchildren of Queen Victoria of England married into European royalty, Maud became the wife of Prince Karl of Denmark, who in turn became Norway’s first modern king, Haakon VII.
Queen Maud died in 1938 when Harald was still a toddler, but historians say she remained “very British” and incorporated many British traditions into the new Norwegian royal family. rice field. She continued to speak English, spent a lot of time in Britain, and the reigning king notes that she influenced everything from Norwegian-British relations to the royal Christmas menu.
These ties cemented during World War II when King Haakon VII and his son, then-Crown Prince Olaf V (father of King Harald), and the entire Norwegian government fled to London. During the war years, the Norwegian and British royal families became even closer, with King Haakon being the late Queen Elizabeth’s favorite childhood uncle, the royal court noted Friday. (since ‘Charles’ is the English version of his original Danish name ‘Karl’), the palace claims that she “named her first child (now Charles III) after King Haakon”. I just pointed out what was said. When Charles was born in his 1948. King Haakon ruled Norway until his death in 1957.
Norway was also the first country outside the Commonwealth to secure an official visit for the still-new Queen of England in 1955. Queen Elizabeth and her husband, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, also made an official visit to Norway in 1981 during the reign of King Olaf. and his 2001, ten years after King Harald succeeded his father. King Haakon, King Olaf and King Harald of Norway have also been invited to make an official visit to Britain.
Norwegian and British political ties are strong. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre appeared on state television on Thursday to comment on what he described as the end of a “historic era and a long life of service”. He said the year “represents continuity and solidarity” and “also in the close relationship between the two countries and the royal family”. emphasized her respect for her lifelong service.
On a more personal note, Storee said during an appearance on national broadcaster NRK that Queen Elizabeth sat between herself and King Harald at a meal during a royal visit to London in 2005. . She was told that she would rebuild Sweden and its own monarchy, and that the Queen would spend half her time talking to King Harald and the other half talking to him. said the store.
The British Ambassador to Norway, Richard Wood, thanked “many condolences from Norway, a country to which Her Majesty has strong ties and was pleased to visit many times”. . The news station NTB reported that the embassy planned to draw up a protocol of condolence at its embassy in Oslo’s Frogner district.
In his condolences to King Charles III, King Harald said he and his family “wish His Majesty and your family all the strength and comfort they need in this time of sorrow.” Wrapped up. Funeral arrangements have been put on hold and Norwegian media have reported that changes have been made to the Norwegian royal family’s schedule following the Queen’s death. official visits have been canceled, but some may be made to attend funerals.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
