The Royal Court of Norway has released new photos to mark the 30th Anniversary of King Harald V and Queen Sonja’s Accession on Sunday, 17 January 2021.

King Harald and Queen Sonja became Norway’s royal couple following the death of his father, Olav V, on 17 January 1991 at 10.20 pm whilst watching news coverage of the outbreak of the Gulf War.

He is the first reigning monarch to visit Antarctica, especially the Norwegian dependency Queen Maud Land, in 2015, followed by their first official state visit to Australia.

The Royal Couple visited Canberra, Sydney and Perth during their tour in February 2015, meeting with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their 80th birthdays in 2017, with an official dinner at the Royal Palace in May.

During their reign, King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 29 August 2018.