28 November 2020

King and Queen of Norway return from Covid-19 quarantine

The Norwegian Royal Court informed on Thursday 26 November 2020 that the king and queen had been tested for Covid-19 and the results were negative. This meant that they could return to work on Friday. King Harald presided over the Council of State which was held at the Royal Palace at 11 a.m.

The king and queen and 14 employees at the Royal Palace were quarantined on 19 November after an employee has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Queen Sonja was in quarantine because she has been in close contact with the employee, while King Harald's home quarantine was self-imposed. Neither the king nor the queen had at the time shown any symptoms. 

The 14 employees also tested negative and have returned to work.

19 November 2020

King and Queen of Norway quarantined

The Norwegian Royal Court informed today that the king and queen and 14 employees at the Royal Palace are in quarantine after an employee has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Queen Sonja is in quarantine because she has been in close contact with the employee, while King Harald's home quarantine is self-imposed. Neither the king nor the queen has shown any symptoms so far.

The quarantine means that the king will preside over the Council of State by phone from his home at Bygdø Royal Farm on Friday 20 November at 11 a.m.. The telephone solution was also used in the spring of 2000 during the first wave of the pandemic.

Crown Prince Haakon will step in to grant the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, an audience at 10 a.m. on Friday. The quarantine also mean several changes to the king and queen's program in the next few days.

2 November 2020

3 November 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of King Peter II of Yugoslavia

The Office of Crown Prince Alexander, head of the Royal House of Serbia, has issued the following statement concerning the 50th anniversary of the death of King Peter II of Yugoslavia tomorrow, 3 November 2020:

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KING PETER II’S DEATH TO BE MARKED IN OPLENAC AND NEW YORK

A memorial service for His Majesty King Peter II (son of the great unifier His Majesty King Alexander I) is going to be officiated tomorrow Tuesday, 3 November 2020 by His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija at the Church of Saint George in Oplenac.

According to protocol the first wreath will be laid by Mr. Dragomir Acovic, chairman of the Advisory bodies of the Crown on the behalf His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander head of the Serbian Royal Family (son of Hs Majesty King Peter II) on the tomb of the late King.

In New York His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America will officiate a memorial service for His Majesty King Peter II in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine who will light candles in memory of the Crown Prince’s father, HM King Peter II, at the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sava. His Majesty King Peter II was very close to the cathedral during his time in the United States.

King Peter II, b. 1923, died in exile in Denver, Colorado on 3 November 1970 and was succeeded as head of the royal family by his only son, Crown Prince Alexander, b. 1945.