Queen Anne Marie celebrates her 80th birthday

@The Royal Court

 

Earlier this month, Queen Anne-Marie fulfilled a big wish when Her Majesty visited Greenland for the first time. The trip went to Nuuk and Ilulissat and was a gift from Queen Anne-Marie's two sisters. During the trip, Her Majesty was accompanied by her youngest daughter, Theodora.

On August 30, 1946, Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark gave birth to a daughter at Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen.  This was the royal couple's third daughter, joining Princess Margrethe, 6, and 2-year-old Princess Benedikte

Frederik is the heir apparent to his father, King Christian IX.  Frederik's younger brother, Prince Knud, is next in line to the throne, as succession is based on Salic law, which limits succession to men.  

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The princess was baptized at Holmen Church (Lutheran) in Copenhagen and given the names Anne-Marie Dagmar Ingrid.  She had ten godparents: King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine of Denmark (her paternal grandparents), Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden (maternal grandfather), Prince Bertil of Sweden (maternal uncle),  King Haakon VII of Norway (paternal great-uncle),  Crown Princess Martha of Norway (Crown Prince Frederik's paternal first cousin and Crown Princess Ingrid's first cousin once removed), Princess Dagmar of Denmark (paternal great aunt),  Prince George of Greece and Denmark (son of King George I of the Hellenes), Queen Mary of the United Kingdom and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands.

On April 20, 1947, Anne-Marie's grandfather died, and her father succeeded as Frederik IX.  In 1953, Parliament promulgated a new Act of Settlement, establishing male primogeniture and allowing daughters to inherit if they had no brothers.  Hereditary Prince Knud moved down to fourth place in the line of succession behind Margrethe, Benedikte and Anne-Marie.

Anne-Marie remained in the line of succession until she married King Constantine II of the Hellenes in Athens on September 18, 1964.  She renounced her Lutheran faith when she converted to Greek Orthodoxy the following April.

All black and white images:  Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection

Constantine had succeeded his father, King Paul, in March 1964, but his reign would be brief.  Greece suffered from political instability, which led to a right-wing coup in April 1967.  King Constantine's failed counter-coup led to him and his family going into exile, first to Italy, and then England,  buying a 10-bedroom house in Hampstead, where he and Anne-Marie raised their five children: Alexia (1965), Pavlos (1967), Nicolaos (1969), Theodora (1983) and Philippos (1986).  Anne-Marie and Constantine lived in the house for 46 years before selling it in 2013 for £9.8 million, and moving to Greece.  

King Constantine II died in Athens in January 2023.

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Queen Anne-Marie also has an apartment in the Amalienborg Palace complex.

Photos by me

Gala dinner 2013

Serbia 2010  (Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine's 25th anniversary)

Serbia 2013

Topola, Serbia  State Funeral for King Peter II, Queen Alexandra, Queen Marie and Prince Andrej

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2014/03/anne-marie-to-be-youngest-queen.html  

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2013/01/constantine-to-marry-anne-marie.html  

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2023/01/king-constantine-ii-1940-2023.html

King Harald's funeral will be held on September 9

@Ola Vatn/Royal Court

King Harald V's funeral will take place in Oslo Cathedral on Wednesday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m.

Tomorrow, August 31st at 4:00 PM, King Harald V's bier will be taken from the Red Salon at the Royal Palace to the Palace Chapel, where the bier will remain until the day of the funeral.

King Harald's bier has been in the Red Room since it was transferred from the National Hospital. King Harald's bier will then be moved onto a catafalque and draped in the royal flag.

The bier is carried by King Harald's children and grandchildren in procession through the Yellow Salon, the Hall of Mirrors, the Daily Dining Room, the Little Banquet Hall and the Great Banquet Hall. Her Majesty the Queen and Queen Sonja are also in the procession, which is led by His Majesty the King's Chief of Staff. He carries the royal crown on a cushion, and the head of the Royal Secretariat carries the royal sword. Other members of the Court's leadership carry King Harald's most important Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and British orders.

Employees of the Royal Court form a trellis through the halls of the Palace, joining the procession once King Harald's bier has passed.

In the Great Hall, the adjutant staff takes over the bier and leads it to the Palace Chapel. The bier is placed on a velvet-covered catafalque, and the family's wreaths and flower hearts will surround the bier. The royal crown and the national sword are placed on the bier. The orders are placed at the foot of the bier.

A private memorial service will be held in the Palace Chapel for King Harald's family, his court and adjutant staff.

The transfer of the bier from the Red Salon to the Palace Chapel was also carried out upon the death of King Olav V in 1991.

The castle chapel will be open for public viewing from Tuesday, September 1st at 2:00 PM until the day before the funeral at 6:00 PM.

The Belgian Royal Palace released this statement today:

Following the death of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway and the State funeral to be held in Oslo on 9 September, 2026, the State Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark, scheduled to take place in Belgium from September 8 to 10, has been postponed to a later date.

King Haakon's first speech

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Dear everyone,

Yesterday morning at 06:35, His Majesty King Harald V, my father whom I loved so much, died.

We are in mourning. At the same time, it gives us comfort and strength that so many people are grieving with us. It has been a powerful and moving experience to see the Palace Square filled with people, flowers, greetings and lights. Thank you very much.

My dear father, thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me. Warm and safe. You were also a warm and funny grandfather. A loving and caring husband. A generous father-in-law. A brother and uncle who everyone was so happy to be with. You were the head of the family who, together with my mother, embraced us all and brought us together with a natural authority you may not have been fully aware of. Above all, you were a person who always stood by your values ​​and commitments. You supported and cared for us all. It makes me proud to think about everything you both stood for — and stood up for.

I will miss him. I will miss his laugh. His warm way of meeting people and situations. My father always made people around him relax.

He was a good listener, especially when dealing with children and young people – for whom he had an extra space in his heart.

The big, warm royal hand reached out to everyone, young and old, who needed an extra handshake. He met everyone with respect and generosity – and never discriminated against anyone.

He traveled to comfort those affected by the hurricane – dressed in a bubble jacket and rubber boots.

He apologized to the Sami for the injustices committed against them – on behalf of all of us.

He cried with us after we had lost so many on Utøya and in the government quarter.

He brought us together by putting into words who we Norwegians are.

I imagine him on the sailboat – with a cap, sunglasses and a resounding laugh. Where he could just be himself, get energy and lots of joy – in competition with other passionate sailors.

And the picture of his big smile in the hammock in the Amazon – where he finally fulfilled his boyhood dream of living a few days with the Yanomami people. A dream that arose from a commitment to caring for the world's animals and nature.

I know many of you will miss a lot of this too.

Across the country – and around the world – there are thousands of people who today hold the memories they have of meetings with him in high regard. Memories that will live on in people's hearts and family stories.

As king, my father represented Norway and Norwegians with pride and joy. Through visits around the country, at events here at the Palace, and at work for Norway abroad.

In the snowdrift at the cross-country stadium. 

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On the Palace balcony on May 17.

On a state visit to Nelson Mandela.

It was also a great strength for him to have my mother, Queen Sonja, as a life partner to share the work with. She helped them become a strong royal couple who complemented each other well. I know how much she meant to King Harald for standing so firmly in his life's work. In the life's work they shared. Today marks 58 years since they got married. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, dear mother.

King Harald accompanied our country through a period of great change. From the time he set foot on Rådhuskaia as an eight-year-old upon his return from World War II – until today – Norway has undergone a great deal of positive development. Today we are a welfare society – where people from different backgrounds live together and figure it out with each other.

At the same time, the world is once again more unsafe and unpredictable than it has been during most of King Harald's reign. Something that also affects us here in this country and has brought a new seriousness to us.

Now that my father has passed away, there is a big task ahead of me.

He constantly reminded us in the family that everyone must do things their own way. Find their own form. Be themselves. He succeeded his father, King Olav – who in turn succeeded his father, King Haakon. 

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Now it's my turn.

 am deeply grateful to have my family around me, and for the great support Queen Mette-Marit and our children have for me.

I would also like to thank my mother and sister for the strength they share as they themselves grieve the loss of a beloved husband and father.

Our family has experienced the importance of standing together to stand strong – both within ourselves and for each other. Even in difficult times.

Our unity is a great strength for the work we will do for Norway.

After King Harald's long and eventful reign, it is now up to us to guide each other into a new era. Queen Mette-Marit and I want to be present and listening. The Queen, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and I will always try to understand the life situations of different people.

No one knows today what we who live in this country will face together. But what we do know is that we will follow each other through both good and difficult days.

We believe in a Norway where we stand securely rooted in our history, in what has shaped us over time.

We believe in our popular government – ​​and in democracy.

We believe in a society built on law and justice – and where everyone is of equal value.

A society where we see and recognize each other's resources – so that together we can create a Norway where everyone can contribute and feel at home.

We believe in a Norway where there is room for everyone.

We shall feel the strength of our community – and know with ourselves that we are one people.

Dear all,

Today I feel a great sense of gratitude towards those who have gone before me. All were kings of their time. They were loved, respected and meant a lot to many. I have learned a lot from them all.

Like King Haakon, King Olav and King Harald, I take the election language - "All for Norway".

"Everything for Norway" means fighting for everyone in Norway to have the opportunity to live a free life. It also implies a responsibility to ensure that we as a nation contribute positively to the world.

And that means – in the ultimate consequence – being willing to risk everything, including life, for Norway's freedom and independence.

For its peace is encamped.

Today we are a family in mourning, and a people in mourning.

We thank King Harald for all he was and all he did – for Norway, - for everyone in our country.

With God's help and the support of the people, I look forward to the great task that lies ahead. I pray that we will all unite in the old wish:

May God preserve our country.

A marriage based on love - Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen

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King Olav V of Norway expected his only son and heir, Crown Prince Harald, to marry for dynastic purposes.   Harald's two older sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid, married Norwegian commoners and lost their title, Princess of Norway, and the style of Royal Highness.

If Harald did not marry another royal, he too would lose his title and his right to the throne.  Until 1990, succession to the Norwegian throne was limited to males only, and Harald was the only male in line.  

During the early 1960s, numerous princesses were rumored to be Harald's choice, including Princess Sophie and Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, Princess Tatiana Radziwill, and Princess Alexandra of Kent.  You can be sure Alexandra's mother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, pushed hard for a romance.

Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen were met through mutual friends at a party in 1959.  They dated in secret for nine years.   King Olav was not originally pleased with Harald's girlfriend, but the young Crown Prince held his ground, determined to marry the woman he loved.  He told his father if he did not have his permission to marry Sonja, he would marry no one, leaving the Norwegian throne without future heirs.

The King sought advice from the Norwegian government, a majority of which sided with Crown Prince Harald.  Only after hearing what government officials had to say did King Olav V consent to Harald's marriage.

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 The couple's engagement was announced on March 19, 1968, and their wedding took place on August 29th at Oslo Cathedral.   

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 And with every fairy tale,  Harald and Sonja lived happily ever after.  A true partnership at home and on the throne.

Crown Princess Martha and family arrive in NYC as exiles

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 August 28, 1940

After a perilous Atlantic crossing,  Crown Princess Martha of Norway and her three children, Princess Ragnhild, 10, Princess Astrid, 8, and 3-year-old Prince Harald, arrived in New York City as refugees.  During a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria, Martha, the wife of Crown Prince  Olav, specifically requested that no fanfare and politics "be eliminated from the reception accorded to her " by the United States, according to the New York Times.  

The Princess was adamant that the primary reason for accepting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's invitation to live in the United States for the "duration of the war was the one of personal safety of her children."

Princess Martha and her three children were among 870 passengers aboard the United States Army Transport American Eagle, which survived a "stormy twelve-day voyage" from Finland.  Most of the passengers  did not "fully realize the perils they passed through the mine-clogged  waters of Europe."

After retiring to her suite, the first thing the Crown Princess did was call her husband, Crown Prince Olav, in London.  She had not spoken to him since April 10 when she and the children fled Norway.  He was in "fine spirits," she said.   

She did state, however, that no "pressure of any kind" was put upon her to "declare a regency for Norway" with her young son as king.  There were reports that Germany, "either directly, or through the King of Sweden, had urged her to declare a regency."   This was based on the "theory that King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav had deserted the throne by fleeing to England."

Martha was adamant, stating: "The fight for Norway continues through London. I am sure the end will be all right.  I am sure Norway will be independent and free again."  She added that she thought the reports of treason in Norway were "greatly exaggerated."

The only treason in Norway, she said, was from Quisling.

While their mother met the press,  the two young princesses were out shopping, and Prince Harald was resting "under the care of his nursemaid."

The family planned to stay overnight in the hotel before traveling to Hyde Park by car.  Princess Martha said they would remain for about a week at President Roosevelt's private residence, but she admitted she did not know where the family would settle.   She was also asked if she thought her husband would join her.   "I don't know, but I wish I did."

Not too long afterward,  Martha and her three children moved to Bethesda, Maryland, settling into Pook's Hill.  President Roosevelt persuaded the owner, Merle Thorpe, to rent the house to Princess Martha.   The family enjoyed the property, which led the President to prevail on "Thorpe to sell the entire Pook’s Hill estate to the Norwegians."    

The Norwegian government purchased the 140-acre property in August 1941.   

They remained at Pook's Hill until after Norway's liberation in 1945, and the family returned home.  The estate was put up for sale, and the "new owners tore down the house and subdivided the estate almost immediately."

King Harald's bier has arrived at the Palace

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His Majesty King Haakon, Her Majesty Queen Mette-Marit, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Märtha Louise accompanied King Harald's bier from the National Hospital to the Royal Palace this evening. 

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King Harald V - an American connection

 

Prince Harald of Norway plays with FDR's beloved Scot

Soon after Crown Princess Märtha and her three children, Princess Ragnhild, Princess Astrid and Prince Harald, arrived in Washington,. D.C, as exiles from the Nazi invasion of Norway.    In 1945, they attended the President's fourth inauguration.

Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library, Hyde Park

Crown Princess Märtha and her children spent nearly five years in the United States before Norway's liberation. 

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Messages from other Sovereigns on the death of King Harald V

 United Kingdom

Victoria - Edward VII - George V - George VI - Elizabeth II - Charles II

Victoria - Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald V - 

Christian IX - Alexandra - George V - George VI - Elizabeth II - Charles II

Christian IX -Frederik VIII - Carl (Haakon VII) - Olav V - Harald V 

Christian IX - Frederik VIII - Ingeborg - Märtha - Harald V - 

SWEDEN

Victoria - Arthur - Margaret - Gustaf Adolf - Carl XVI Gustaf 

Victoria  - Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald V

Victoria - Charles Edward - Sibylla - Gustaf Adolf - Carl XVI Gustaf.

THE NETHERLANDS

Willem I - Frederik -Louise - Louise - Christian X - Frederik IX - Margrethe II - Frederik IX

Willem I - Frederik -Louise -Louise - Carl (Haakon VII) - Harald V

Willem I - Frederik - Louise - Louise - Ingborg - Märtha - Harald V

DENMARK

King Frederik X's personal letter to King Haakon VIII does not have an English translation

Victoria - Arthur - Margaret - Ingrid - Margrethe II - Frederik IX

Victoria -  Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald V

Oscar I  - Carl XV - Louise - Carl (Haakon VII) - Harald

Oscar I - Oscar II - Gustav V - Gustaf VI Adolf - Ingrid - Margrethe II - Frederik IX

Oscar I - Oscar II - Carl - Märtha - Olav V - Harald V 

LUXEMBOURG

“The death of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway leaves the Grand Duchess and me in deep sorrow.

The weight of years and the responsibilities he assumed during his 35-year reign seemed to have no impact on the exceptional strength, will, and endurance that accompanied him throughout his life.” World sailing champion (1987), then European champion (2005), and a three-time Olympic Competitor (Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972), he was still competing in an international regatta in 2022, at the age of 85.

Until his last day, he remained true to his motto: "All for Norway." In these delicate times for international relations, he still wished to put his extensive experience in multilateral relations at the service of peace and the international community, notably by working on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prizes.

The people of Luxembourg, the Grand Duchess, and I, along with Grand Duke Henri and

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, extend our deepest condolences to you, your family, and all Norwegians.

Guillaume

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Carl (Haakon VII) - Olav V - Harald V

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Märtha - Harald V

BELGIUM

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Astrid - Albert II - Philippe

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Märtha  - Harald V - Haakon VIII

MONACO

Through Hesse-Darmstadt:

Ludwig IX - Amalie - Karl (Grand Duke of Baden) - Marie (Duchess of Hamilton) - Mary Victoria - Louis II - Charlotte - Rainier III - Albert

Ludwig IX  - Friederike Luise -  Wilhelmina (Prussia) - Frederik (Netherlands) - Louise  - Louise - Haakon VII - Harald

Ludwig IX  - Friederike Luise -  Wilhelmina (Prussia) - Frederik (Netherlands) - Louise  - Louise - Ingeborg - Märtha - Harald 

SPAIN

With our respect and admiration for his person, and with deep sadness, we express our condolences on the loss of H.M. King Harald V, an example of responsibility, dignity, simplicity, and tireless dedication to the service of Norway and its people, throughout his 35 years of reign.

Our condolences, with fraternal affection, to the Norwegian Royal Family.

Victoria - Beatrice - Ena - Juan - Juan Carlos - Felipe

Victoria - Victoria - Wilhelm II - Viktoria Luise - Friederike - Sophie - Felipe

Victoria - Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald

Christian IX - Alexandra - Maud - Olav V - Harald

Christian IX - Wilhelm (George)  - Constantine I - Paul - Sophie - Felipe

SERBIA

“My wife and I and our entire family are deeply saddened by the devastating news that our dear friend and cousin, His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, has passed away. In these difficult moments, we send our most sincere condolences to HM King Haakon VIII, HM Queen Sonja, and the entire Royal Family and the people of Norway; we share their grief and sadness at the loss of a great man. We pray to Almighty God to grant the late King everlasting peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.

His Majesty will be greatly missed, but his memory will be kept forever, with great love and respect. He dedicated his entire life to the service of his people and his country, as a true role model, an inspirational example of a monarch in a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. His time on the throne was marked by the motto, which was the same for his father and grandfather, the slogan that in a few words says it all and defines who His Majesty really was - "Alt for Norge" - "Everything for Norway". The well-being of his people and the progress of his country were the most important to him. The people knew it well and respected their King deeply. He set an example we should all follow. 

Although it is the time of mourning, I wish His Majesty King Haakon VIII to continue his father’s work and follow his footsteps in the proud but also difficult service to his people. The example of this great man will help him overcome every obstacle and difficulty.”  

 

Victoria - Alfred - Marie - Marie - Peter -Alexander

Victoria - Edward - Maud - Olav V - Harald

Christian IX - Alexandra - Maud - Olav V - Harald

Christian IX - Wilhelm (George I) - Constantine I - Alexander - Alexandra - Peter II - Alexander

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Martha - Harald.

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Carl - Olav V - Harald