The Norwegian Royal Family received a birthday present from the Norwegian Parliament

The Norwegian Royal Family and the Presidency of Parliament. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

His Majesty King Harald, Her Majesty Queen Sonja, and Their Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway participated in a ceremony in Norway’s capital, Oslo, on Monday afternoon celebrating the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the King and Queen.

The King and Queen’s birthday present from the Norwegian Parliament was a painting of the oath-ceremony of King Harald’s father, His Majesty King Olav V of Norway. The painting was unveiled during a ceremony in what is called “Vandrehallen” in the Parliament, where the paintings of the oath-ceremony of King Haakon VII and King Harald are also exhibited. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were also present during the ceremony.

The Norwegian royal family arrives at the Parliament. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

It is the Swedish-Norwegian painter Kira Wager who painted the image in black, white and grey tones. Wager grew up in Sweden but has lived in Oslo since 1994. Her painting style is often characterised by painting with oil paint. She is internationally recognised and has held exhibitions in the United States as well in Norway and Sweden.

The painting of King Olav. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

The Parliament President, Ole Michael Thommessen said during the unveiling of the painting: “On behalf of the Parliament, I would like to convey my warmest congratulations to your Majesties, the King and Queen. It is a great pleasure for me to present the Parliament’s gift.“

Furthermore, the Parliament President said about the painting, “The painting captures a very special moment in our country’s history. The King’s oath is taken on here, and I think the painting in a very good way illustrates the symbolism of such an event. ”


The painting showed King Olav when His Majesty swore allegiance to the Norwegian people and the Norwegian constitution. This is a common practice in Norway when a King dies, and the Crown Prince becomes King. This also happened in 1991 with King Harald when King Olav died. The unique thing about King Olav’s oath is that it first took place in writing, as Parliament was not assembled for the session at the time of King Haakon’s death. Due to this and that Parliament’s main hall was being rebuilt.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess leave the Parliament. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

Royal Central was present in the Norwegian Parliament during the ceremony, and Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen described the event as “a beautiful and simple ceremony.” Aanmoen said, “The painting was suitable for King Olav’s memory. King Olav was a very beloved King, and this painting shows us his beginning as a good and solid King who led Norway through good and bad times of our modern history.”