Princess Mette-Marit dons conventional costume for Constitution Day
Norway’s royal family donned traditional dress to celebrate their country’s National Day today.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 50, appeared in great spirits for the Norwegian Constitution Day alongside her husband Crown Prince Haakon, 50, at their Skaugum estate in Oslo.
The royal pair were also joined by their daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and their dog Molly as they waved at the children’s parade.
Princess Ingrid donned an elaborate Norwegian traditional black gown with a white blouse.
Her brunette locks were styled in a straight centre parting, while her neutral makeup enhanced her naturally pretty features.
Norway’s royal family donned traditional dress to celebrate their country’s National Day today
Princess Mette-Marit wowed in a traditional red and white ensemble as she waved a Norwegian flag from the steps of her residence.
Prince Haakon opted to wear a man’s bunad suit; traditional Norwegian costumes featuring knee socks and white shirts, as well as pops of red – which features prominently on the country’s flag.
They were also accompanied by their pet pooch Molly, whose neck was adorned with neckerchiefs in the red and blue colours of Norway. However their son Sverre Magnus, 18, was not seen during the celebrations.
The holiday, which is celebrated on May 17th every year, marks the signing of the constitution declaring Norway an independent kingdom in 1814.
The constitution declared Norway to be an independent kingdom in an attempt to avoid being ceded to Sweden after Denmark–Norway’s devastating defeat in the Napoleonic Wars.
Celebrations, which take place nationwide, include parades as well as the royal appearances where the family greet crowds of the public.
It comes after Princess Mette-Marit and her daughter Princess Ingrid were seen visiting King Harald at Rikshospital in March.
Princess Ingrid (right) donned an elaborate Norwegian traditional black gown with a white blouse
Crown Princess Mette-Marit , 50, (left) appeared in great spirits for the Norwegian Constitution Day alongside her husband Crown Prince Haakon, 50, (right) at their Skaugum estate in Oslo
The royal pair were also joined by their daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra , 20, (centre) and their dog Molly as they waved at the children’s parade
Mette-Marit, Ingrid Alexandra, and Crown Prince Haakon waved from their balcony alongside Queen Sonja and King Harald V of Norway
The family changed their clothing later on in the day and greeted the children’s train during the Norwegian Constitution Day celebrations
Princess Mette-Marit wowed in a traditional red and white ensemble as she waved a Norwegian flag from the steps of her residence
They were also accompanied by their pet pooch Molly, whose neck was adorned with neckerchiefs in the red and blue colours of Norway
Mette-Marit looked focused as she drove her Tesla to the University Hospital to visit her father-in-law with daughter Ingrid Alexandra.
King Harald, 87, was rushed back to Oslo onboard a medical evacuation plane after being hospitalised for an infection during a private trip in Langkawi, Malaysia.
‘He will stay in the hospital for a few days for treatment and rest,’ the royal household said in a statement.
King Harald, Norway’s monarch since 1991, is Europe’s oldest living monarch. He has repeatedly been hospitalised with infections in recent years and has undergone heart surgery.
The mother and daughter appeared positive as they made their way to Rikshospital – with Ingrid flashing a smile at photographers.
It was previously said that the king was expected to be on sick leave for two weeks. Crown Prince Haakon, who married Princess Mette-Marit in 2001, has been presiding in his father’s absence.
The 87-year-old King had been hospitalised for an infection while on a private trip in the resort island of Langkawi. He received a temporary pacemaker.
A medical plane believed to be transporting the King took off from Langkawi on Sunday afternoon, after police escorted a convoy that included an ambulance from the hospital to the airport, as reported by AFP.
Prince Haakon opted to wear a man’s bunad suit; traditional Norwegian costumes featuring knee socks and white shirts, as well as pops of red – which features prominently on the country’s flag
Mette-Marit, Prince Haakon and Ingrid Alexandra greeted the children’s train during Constitution Day celebrations
Queen Sonja was travelling with the King, who would be checked into the hospital Rikshospitalet, upon his return to Norway, the royal household said in a statement.
‘The king will be on sick leave for two weeks,’ it said. ‘The crown prince will in that period be regent and take over the King’s constitutional duties.’ Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, 50, had already been presiding in his father’s absence.
King Harald has repeatedly been hospitalised with infections in recent years and has undergone heart surgery.
He caught a respiratory infection in January, days after dismissing speculation that he might abdicate, following the lead of distant cousin Queen Margrethe II in Denmark.
Two days before Harald’s 87th birthday last week, the palace announced that the King would be undertaking a private trip abroad, without specifying the destination or dates, according to the Norwegian news agency NTB.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that he was ‘sad’ to hear of the king’s hospitalization and wished him a ‘speedy recovery,’ NTB said.
Despite Harald’s precarious physical condition, the royal is certain that he wants to continue as Norway’s reigning monarch.
