You guys! I’m so happy — these photos were snapped of the Crown Princely couple recently and you can’t help but see their love for each other. I’m hoping this shuts down all possibilities that there was trouble in paradise. What’s better is the fact that today is their 13th wedding anniversary.
Here’s to lucky number 13… and many more!
Yesterday, the Crown Princely Couple attended the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Convention of Moss in Østfold. This is the couple’s first appearance for some time and it appears it was not initially scheduled to attend, and rumors of a separation have been growing. I hope this is a sign that they were indeed just that–rumors.
(Source.)
The Norwegian Royal Family has been rife with controversy lately. From rumblings of a possible separation of the Crown Princely couple, to the recent decision of the couple to send their children to private school, they’ve provided much to be debated over the past couple of months.
With every debate comes the ultimate query: Is royalty even needed anymore? The State explains the question at hand further:
In egalitarian Norway, the choice for the further education of 10-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra and 8-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus seemed a denunciation of the education of the rest of the children in this wealthy nation of only 5 million. But while a fuss over moving royals from classes with common children might seem a non-issue in the non-royal United States, it actually gets at a single question about much of the remaining royalty of Europe: Why?
Norwegian historian Finn Erhard Johannessen, from the University of Oslo, said supporting a royal family remained a source of pride in his nation but that there were limits.
“Norwegians like having a royal family,” he said. “But they don’t want them to act too royally.”
Polls indicate that about 4 of 5 Norwegians back the monarchy, though most of those essentially with a “why not?” instead of undying passion for the institution.
Johannessen said Norwegians thought their royals were nice people. Part of that is living like anyone else.
“People want the royal children to be in school with the children of immigrants,” he noted.
Anders Folkestad, the head of Norway’s teachers union, told local media that the move sends a bad message: “Does it say private schools are better than public? Must one go to an international school to learn English?” (The State)
The article goes on to discuss the monarchy’s past issues and its possible future.
It’s an interesting move on behalf of Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit, and it leaves a lot to be answered. In a move they had to have known would have such repercussions, you have to wonder what could be so dire that they make this decision.
On the heels of last week’s post regarding the whereabouts of Crown Princess Mette-Marit as of late, the Norwegian media released these shots of Mette-Marit. She’s apparently in Portofino, Italy, with her “good friend” Vogue Italy Editor, Franca Sozzani.
It’s worth noting the Norwegian Royal Court calendar does not have CP Mette-Marit listed for any upcoming events.
Since last November, rumors of a separation have been swirling around the Crown Princely couple of Norway. While the couple was pictured together in Haakon’s official birthday photographs, there weren’t any featuring just the pair.
Since then, Mette-Marit has rarely been seen.
Most notably as of late, she was absent from the memorial service for the victims of the Utøya massacre in 2011. (One of the victims was her step brother.)
I also checked last night and realized she hasn’t updated her twitter since mid-June. Which is strange, seeing as how she usually updated multiple times a day.
I truly hope this is all speculation… but I fear the gossip may be onto something. I’m still rooting for them, though!
In honor of Crown Prince Haakon’s 41st birthday today, the Norwegian Royal Court has released new photos of the Crown Princely Family.
Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Mary, and Crown Prince Frederik gather at Fredensborg Palace for the celebration for Queen Margrethe’s 70th birthday, April 16, 2010.
After Prince William’s latest announcement regarding his career now that he is officially retired from the RAF, and with the upcoming book about the lives of RAF wives and Kate’s foreward, I thought it’d be a great time to recap some royals in the military. (Click the photo for the caption.)
Do you think Kate will follow suit of the other Crown Princesses and do basic training?
In 2009, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway announced a furry addition to their family: Milly Kakao.
Milly is a labradoodle and a special member of the Norwegian Royal Family. She seems to go nearly everywhere with the bunch, from skiing and boating to the annual Norwegian Day festivities (see photos from this year here).
Last July the family released pictures of Milly and her (nine!) puppies. A few of which attended their first Norwegian Day last week.
I’m probably bias toward this pup, seeing as how she looks an awful lot like my beloved pooch, Patrick. 😉
