Norway’s Royal Family celebrated National Day with a difference on 17 May 2020, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

Normally Constitution Day is a huge celebration usually with children’s parades, marching bands, traditional costumes, and lots of ice cream.

And a huge gathering outside the Royal Palace as the Royal Family appear on the balcony.

Raising the Royal Standard

The Royal Standard was raised on the palace roof’s flag pole at 8.00 am with the national flag flown in the palace square.

Ambassadors arrive at the Royal Palace to sign the congratulatory books, with staff wiping down the tables with disinfectant between each visitor.

Asker

The Crown Prince family walked to the gates at their home at Skaugum at 11.00 am to meet student representatives, choirs and corps in Asker.

Four presidents of the ‘russ’ (Year 12 students celebrating the end of their school life) received their own banners from the Crown Prince Family who thanked them for following health advice during the coronavirus pandemic.

Balcony Appearance

The Norwegian Royal Family appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo to mark Constitution Day at 1.00 pm, with Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra wearing ‘bunad’ or traditional costumes.

Norwegians sang the national anthem, Ja, vi elsker (Yes, we love).

Students from Vålerenga and Grünerløkka schools held banners from 74 schools in Oslo.

Both schools celebrate their 125th anniversary in 2020 and would have been first in the annual Children’s Parade.

The banners had stayed overnight in the Royal Palace’s hallway.

Going for a drive

King Harald and Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit went for a surprise drive in two vintage cars through Oslo as the people couldn’t come to the Palace Square this year.

Their tour including the Solgården Home and Care Centre, Borgenbråten community and activity centre (a housing cooperative) and the Ullevål Hospital.

The Army band from Hans Majestet Kongens Garde (His Majesty The King’s Guards) met the Royal Family at the hospital and performed for the patients.

See more photos from the Norwegian Royal Family’s National Day 2020 Album – https://www.kongehuset.no/fotoalbum.html?tid=183404&sek=26949&kategori=113123

History

The Constitution came into effect on 17 May 1814 at Eidsvoll, declaring Norway as an independent nation following the Napoleonic Wars.