The Norwegian Royal Family hosted the British Royal Family in Bergen on this day in 1969, 55 years ago, during their Holiday in Norway on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The British and Norwegian Royal Families have had a long and close family relationship for over a century.
King Olav V of Norway, Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Sonja welcomed the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Princess Anne as they alighted from the Royal Yacht Britannia in Bergen.
Following a Review of the Guard, the Royal Party visited Edward Grieg’s House in Troldhaugen for a Private Concert.
That evening, King Olav hosted a spectacular Banquet for the Queen (wearing the Coronation Necklace and Earrings) and British Royal Family at the Hakonshall in Bergen.
Prince Andrew and Prince Edward joined the Royal Party for a visit to the Aquarium in Bergen, ahead of a Tour of the Old Town and a Lunch at the Fløyen Restaurant.
Travelling up the Western Norwegian Coast, the British and Norwegian Royal Families stopped in Åndalsnes the following day, while Crown Prince Harald took the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales on a fishing trip. The British and Norwegian Royal Families also paid a visit to the royal birch at Glomstein.
The Royal Party then moved on to Trondheim, where, following the Guard of Honour, there was a Procession through the streets to the Stiftsgården.
That evening, there was a Gala Performance in honour of the Queen (wearing Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace) held in Trondheim.
The next day, the British and Norwegian Royal Families had lunch with Norwegian Prime Minister Per Borten at his farm in Flå after playing Boccia.
It was on the last day of the visit, after the weekend had been spent in Trondheim, that Magnhild and Per Borten were able to welcome the Queen, King Olav and Crown Princess Sonja at the family farm Bortn in Flå.
Crown Prince Harald was on a fishing trip with Prince Philip. After lunch, the Fing accompanied his British guests to Værnes air station, where they boarded a Royal Air Force plane to return home.
The Royal Family’s Christmas Card Photograph was taken on the deck of the Royal Yacht Britannia during the Holiday in Norway.
Norwegian State Visit to Britain in 1951
British State Visit to Norway in 1955
Norwegian State Visit to Scotland in 1962
British State Visit to Norway in 1981
Norwegian State Visit to Britain in 1988
Norwegian State Visit to Britain in 1994
British State Visit to Norway in 2001
Norwegian Official Visit to Britain in 2005
