The Grand Duke may have Himself represented by a Prince of the blood, who shall bear the title of Lieutenant of the Grand Duke and who [shall] reside in the Grand Duchy.This representative shall take an oath to observe the Constitution before exercising his powers.
23 June 2024
Luxembourg: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume to become Lieutenant-Representative in October 2024
21 May 2024
UK: The Princess Royal in Norway
The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) is currently visiting Norway as Patron of the Anglo-Norwegian Resistance Commemoration Project.. For the most part the visit is "private", but she will nevertheless have one official engagement together with Crown Prince Haakon.
Princess Anne must have arrived some time yesterday, because late last night the British Embassy published photos from her visit to the Norwegian Folk Museum and Gol Stave Church. By coincidence I was at the Folk Museum yesterday together with my wife and two friends from the United States, but Princess Anne must have been there after our visit, most likely after the official opening hours.
Today the princess traveled to Vemork in Telemark county to visit the Industrial Workers Museum and to lay a posy on the memorial to Operation Gunnerside. Later she attended a reception at the British Ambassador's Residence in Thomas Heftyes gate in Oslo where she planted a tree and also met among others people linked to the above-mentioned Anglo-Norwegian Resistance Commemoration Project. Tonight she will have dinner with the King of Norway and other royal family members at the Royal Palace.
On Wednesday 22 May Princess Anne will visit Vestre gravlund (Vestre Cemetery) in Oslo to lay a wreath at the war graves there. This part of the visit is also deemed private and for security reasons the Embassy could not tell me the exact time she was going to be there, but I gather it will be before her visit to Akershus Fortress to meet members of the Norwegian Armed Forces and then the Resistance Museum together with Crown Prince Haakon at 1 p.m.
Sources:
- Kongehuset.no 8 May 2024.
- VG.no 18 May 2024, updated on 21 May 2024 (in Norwegian)
- Royal Life Magazine 20 May 2024
- VG.no 21 May 2024 (about the visit to Vemork, in Norwegian)
14 May 2024
Luxembourg: Princess Alexandra gives birth to a girl
The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg announced today that Princess Alexandra and her husband Nicolas Bagory have become parents to their first child, a daughter who has been named Victoire. The baby girl, who is the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg's 8th grandchild, was born in Paris on 14 May 2024.
Le Grand-Duc et la Grande-Duchesse ont la grande joie d’annoncer la naissance de leur petite-fille Victoire, premier enfant de leur fille Alexandra et de leur gendre Nicolas, née ce mardi 14 mai à Paris.
La mère et l’enfant se portent bien.
Princess Alexandra and Nicolas Bagory were married on 22 April 2023, followed by a religious celebration on 29 April 2023.
The updated line of succession to the throne of Luxembourg (top ten):
- Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, b. 1981
- Prince Charles of Luxembourg, b. 2020
- Prince François of Luxembourg, b. 2023
- Prince Félix of Luxembourg, b. 1984
- Princess Amalia of Nassau, b. 2014
- Prince Liam of Nassau, b. 2016
- Prince Balthazar of Nassau, b. 2024
- Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg, b. 1991
- Victoire Bagory, b. 2024
- Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg, b. 1992
12 May 2024
Genealogen nr. 1, 2024
- Ole Arild Vesthagen: Hvem var Svend Stenersen Vålens foreldre?, s. 2–23.
- Lisbeth Løchen: Bruk av segl og bumerker – noen oppdateringer og rettelser, s. 24–30.
- Årsberetning for Norsk Slektshistorisk Forening 2023, s. 30–31.
- Revisjonsberetning, s. 31.
- Regnskap, s. 32.
- Bli med oss på sommertur til Toten lørdag 1. juni 2024, s. 33.
- Trond H. Bergstrøm: En slektskrets fra Inderøy på 1700-tallet, s. 34–84.
Noen av de eldre utgreide slektslinjene fra Gudbrandsdalen behøver uten tvil å gjennomgås ved bruk av kilder som har blitt adskillig mer tilgjengelige enn de var på den tiden disse slektslinjene ble beskrevet av slektsforskere som var aktive for omkring 50 og 100 år siden. En av disse slektene er slektskretsen på Vålen i Gausdal. I denne artikkelen vil det bli framlagt beviser for at Svend Stenersen Vålens forfedre ikke kan ha vært de samme som ble beskrevet i utgitte publikasjoner i 1828 og 1924 og dermed også har blitt spredd til utallige slektstavler på nett og på private slektstavler rundt om i hele landet og utlandet.
30 April 2024
Royalty Digest Quarterly no. 1, 2024
The latest issue of Royalty Digest Quarterly (no. 1, 2024) was waiting for me in the mailbox when I returned on 7 April 2024 from my visit to Tanzania. Since my return I haven't had that much time for blogging, but obviously I had to finish reading RDQ before I could start commenting.
The front cover shows a photo of the Ansbach Residence (Residenz Ansbach), also called Markgrafenschloss (Margrave's Palace). The choice of photo tells that this issue's Family Album will cover The Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach. I will return to the article later in the blog.
Main contents:
- Olivier Defrance: A Life Without Tenderness. Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma. [Part] 1, pp. 1–10
- Martijn Arts: Princess Alexandra Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Glücksburg. A Princess in a Caravan, pp. 11–15.
- Elizabeth Jane Timms: Friedrich Wilhelm of Hesse (1870-1873), pp. 16–22.
- Ted Rosvall: The Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach. A Family Album, pp. 23–35.
- Susan Symons: The Last Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, pp. 36–41
- Ove Mogensen: Tombs, Graves and Monuments in Prussia, pp. 42–51.
- Coryne Hall: Little-known ROYALS. Princess Henriette of Belgium, Duchess de Vendôme, pp. 52–53.
- David Horbury: Queen Elizabeth II and Greece, pp. 55–60.
- Ted Rosvall/Anne-Karin Schander: Royal Bustards. The Princes of Lapland. King Oscar I and Emilie Högqvist, pp. 61–62.
- The World Wide Web of Royalty, p. 64 [this time including news about/from Albania, Fürstenberg, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Schaumburg-Lippe and Württemberg].
Grave of Queen Louise of Prussia, née Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1776–1810). © 2008 Dag Trygsland Hoelseth.
Grave of Friedrich der Grosse/Frederick the Great at Sanssouci, Potsdam. © 2011 Dag Trygsland Hoelseth.
24 April 2024
The Norwegian Royal Court. Annual Report 2023
The Royal Court has provided the following summary of the report:
Annual report for 2023
The activities of the Royal House of Norway over the course of the year are closely aligned with the current situation in the country. The visits by the members of the Royal Family to 47 municipalities, official visits to five European countries, participation in a wide array of events together with the Norwegian Armed Forces and a focus on national security and preparedness both show what is essential for Norway and demonstrate the commitment of the Royal Family.
In 2023, members of the Royal Family continued to meet people throughout Norway – at schools, at new start-ups and traditional industrial companies, in museums and churches, at primary industry businesses, at music and drama festivals, at sporting events. They also visited with many of the people who experienced the devastation of Storm Hans in August.
Activities in 2023 were framed by the security situation in Europe. The King and the Crown Prince carried out a number of activities and visits with the Norwegian Armed Forces. The visit of the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to Oslo in May, and of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Palace in December, both point to the serious events taking place in the world at large, and the importance of constructive cooperation with trusted allies. Internationally, the Royal Family represented Norway in Denmark, the UK, France, Sweden and Germany. Topics highlighted during these visits included the green transition, defence and industrial development and cooperation in the cultural sphere.
The year also held milestone events for the Royal Family. In 2023 the Crown Prince and Crown Princess both celebrated their 50th birthdays. They wanted to mark the occasion by celebrating Norway and the Norwegian sense of community by acknowledging the many people who help to make Norway what it is. They spent the year travelling to different places in Norway and in August they invited 370 guest from across the country to a party in the Courtyard of the Royal Palace.
Annual accounts
The accounts for the Civil List showed a calculated deficit of NOK 54.3 million in relation to the 2023 allocation. This deficit will be covered by previously allocated funds. The result is in keeping with the anticipated charges to expenses projected in the annual report for 2022.
The deficit has its origin in the lag between allocations to and disbursements from the Palace security project. In 2023, the project accounts showed a calculated deficit of NOK 70.9 million (cf. the corresponding surplus of NOK 92.7 million for 2022). Commissioned in 2016, the security project was by and large concluded in 2023. Security enhancement of the perimeter of the Palace and Palace Park was completed, and the logistics building, which ensures safe handling of mail, goods and waste, was opened. A few minor tasks that remain under the project will soon be concluded.
The management accounts for the Royal Court show a surplus of NOK 16.5 million. This surplus is largely due to vacant posts and postponement of projects as a result of an ongoing organisational development process. The accounts show that a significant proportion of the ordinary appropriations are used for operation and maintenance of the Palace and other Royal residences, as well as the cultural and historical assets these encompass.
The annual report and accounts of the Royal Court for 2023 have been submitted to the Presidium of the Storting, the Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance, and the Office of the Auditor General of Norway.
18.04.2024
Every year when the report is being published the Norwegian media tend to focus on the budget and nothing else. When the report this year showed a calculated ("planned") deficit of NOK 54,3 million, the media omitted the word "calculated" in the headlines, hoping that the readers wouldn't care to read the article, or the report itself, to get the details. It happens every year when there is a deficit. Then people will get the impression that the royal court – or the royal family – is out of control.
The report showed that the members of the royal family had 756 engagements ("oppdrag") in 2023, while the number was 769 in 2023, 635 in 2021 and 381 in 2020. The two last-mentioned years was of course dominated by the pandemic. In 2019 the number of engagements was 723. In other words, the number of engagements have not changed much, but considering the fact that the king will scale down his activities due to his age, that the queen is also of old age and the crown princess has chronical health issues, the number might fall a bit in 2024. Obviously the crown prince will not be able to cover all the things the king has normally taken care of. Fellow historian Trond Norén Isaksen has done some calculations and found out that King Harald in 2023 had 55 engagements outside the Royal Palace, as compared to 92 in 2013. Obviously his health and age are the reasons for this.
The report also tells that the members of the royal family visited 9 counties (out of 11, from 2024 the number of counties have gone up to 15), 47 municipalities, they have made official visits to Denmark, France, Greece, Jordan, United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany and have hosted as many as 2 735 guests.
But what about the orders and medals? 12 people were awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 2023, as compared to 17 in 2022 and 2021. Among the 12 were Prince Sverre Magnus and the then Prince Christian of Denmark, who both received the Grand Cross. The order is conferred as "a reward for distinguished services rendered to Norway and mankind".
53 people received the Royal Norwegian order of Merit in 2023, all classes combined, compared to 34 people in 2022, 56 in 2021, 89 in 2020 and 57 in 2019. Not sure what to read into the increase. It varies a bit from one year to another. According to the official website, the Order of Merit is conferred on foreign and Norwegian nationals as "a reward for their outstanding service in the interest of Norway". Most of the recipients are diplomats, mostly ambassadors and honorary consuls. Bishop and Preses of the Bishops' Conference of the Church of Norway, Olav Fykse Tveit, who became a commander, was one of the exceptions.
The Medal of St. Olav is conferred as "a reward for services in advancing knowledge of Norway abroad and for strengthening the bonds between expatriate Norwegians and their descendants and their country of residence". In 2023 only one person, farmer Ole P. Gamme from Gran, county of Innlandet (formerly Oppland), received the medal, compared to two people in 2022. Gamme is known for his impressive efforts through many years of promoting knowledge of Norway in the Norwegian-American communities in the USA, and to establishing contact between emigrant Norwegians in the USA and their relatives in Norway. He has among others also built a very impressive database of emigrants from Hadeland and in this way helped a lot of Americans finding their roots at Hadeland.
The King's Medal of Merit is conferred as "a reward for service in the fields of art, science and industry and for outstanding public service". 68 people redeived the medal in 2023, as compared to 53 in 2022, 47 in 2021 and 46 in 2020. Among the 68 were the artist Finn Kalvik, rose painter Hjørdis Emilie Juvik and several teachers.
The King's Commemorative Medal "is conferred for particularly meritorious service to His Majesty the King", but "may also be conferred on foreign nationals in connection with state visits and visits of the King abroad, on those who have served at a Norwegian foreign service mission, and on others in recognition for special services". The medal is conferred in silver or gold. In 2023, 7 people got the medal in gold, while 23 people were awarded the medal in silver. In 2022 the numbers were much lower - 3 gold medals and 6 silver medals. Several people connected to the king's staff received the medal in 2023 and 2022.
Previous articles on the subject of the Norwegian Royal Court's annual report:
- 2022 (published 23 April 2023)
- 2021 (published 4 May 2022)
- 2016 (published 24 April 2017)
- 2014 (published 30 March 2015)
- 2013 (published 16 April 2014)
- 2012 (published 17 April 2013)
- 2011 (published 11 April 2012)
- 2010 (published 12 April 2011)
I started the blog in 2009. The first annual report was published by the court in 2005. Previously all there were links to all the reports here, but now only the reports from 2020 to 2023 are available. You may, however, contact the court and ask for earlier reports if you are interested.
Front cover: © 2023 (?) Eskil Wie Furunes/NRK.
UK: New appointments to various Orders of Chivalry announced
Yesterday Buckingham Palace announced appointments to various Orders of Chivalry:
New appointments to various Orders of Chivalry announced
Published 23 April 2024
A number of new appointments to Orders of the Garter, the Bath, the British Empire and the Companions of Honour become effective immediately.
The Order of the Garter
His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to appoint four new Companions to the Order of the Garter. The Companions are:
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO, DStJ, CD, to be a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, GBE, KCB, DL, to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The Right Honourable the Lord Kakkar, KBE, to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The Lord Lloyd-Webber to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Background
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. Each year, it is celebrated with a procession and service in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The appointment of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter is in The King’s gift (i.e. without Prime Ministerial advice). Appointments to the Order of the Garter are therefore in the same category as the Order of the Thistle, the Order of Merit and the Royal Victorian Order which are also in The King’s gift.
Today's announcement brings the number of Companions to 21 (out of a maximum of 24).
This year’s Garter Service will take place this Summer at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH
His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to appoint His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, K.G., K.T., A.D.C., to be Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Previous Great Masters have included: His Majesty The King as The Prince of Wales (1974-2022), His Royal Highness Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1942-1974) and His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1901-1942).
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath was established by King George I in 1725 although it is believed to originally date back as far as the eighth century. It is awarded to members of the military or civil service for exemplary service.
THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to appoint Her Majesty The Queen to be Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Previous Grand Masters have included: His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1953-2021), Her Majesty Queen Mary (1936-1953) and His Majesty King George VI as The Duke of York (1917-1936).
The Order of the British Empire was established by King George V in 1917 to honour a broader cross section of society, both military and civilian.
THE ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF HONOUR
His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to appoint Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, GCVO, to be Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour.
This is a new appointment.
The Order of the Companions of Honour was founded by King George V in 1917 to recognise outstanding achievements in the Arts, Sciences, Medicine and Public Service.
The appointments are effective from 23rd April 2024.
I am not the only one who is pleased to note that the Duchess of Gloucester this way is being recognized for all her work on behalf of the crown for so many years, usually without getting the public and media attention that she has deserved.
It is also wonderful that Queen Camilla has been appointed as Grand Master of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. However, I am still a bit surprised that the mistake about King George VI has not been corrected yet. The appointmemnts were after all published yesterday. King George VI was not the Grand Master as Duke of York from 1917 to 1936, but his elder brother, who became King Edward VIII in January 1936 (and then abdicated in December the same year), was.
22 April 2024
Norway: King Harald back at work, but the number of engagements will be reduced
King Harald today resumed his duties after his long absence due to having fallen ill during his vacation in Malaysia in late February. Upon his return to Norway on 3 March he was admitted to the National Hospital and had an permanent pacemaker implanted on 12 March. He was discharged from hospital two days later, but has been on sick leave until today in order to rest and recuperate. In the meantime his son Crown Prince Haakon has acted as Regent.
Today the king granted audiences to The Chief of Defence, General Eirik Kristoffersen, Brigadier Terje Bruøygard, Head of Brigade Nord (the Northern Brigade) as well as to Rear Admiral Bjørn-Erik Marthinsen, second in command of the the Defence Staff. The king will grant more audiences on Thursday 25 April and preside over the Council of State at the Royal Palace on Friday 26 April.
The Norwegian Royal Court announced today the king was going to continue his constitutional duties, including conducting meetings and audiences at the Palace and making official visits in Norway. However, due to his age the number of engagements and scope of activities will from now on be scaled down.
The news doesn't come as a surprise due to his age and health situation, and the number of engagements have been reduced in later years as well, as for instance fellow historian Trond Norén Isaksen has pointed out, but obviously now the changes become more permanent.
11 April 2024
Jordan: Princess Rajwa is pregnant
The Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan announced yesterday that Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first child in the summer of 2024.
Crown Prince, Princess Rajwa expecting baby this summer
10 April 2024
The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer.
The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion, and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby.
Crown Prince Hussein, the eldest son of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, married the Saudi citizen Rajwa Al Saif, a daughter of Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif and Azza bint Nayef bin Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Sudairi, on 1 June 2023.
The summer baby, if a boy, will at birth become 2nd in line of succession to the Jordanian throne. The prince or princess will be the first grandchild of the king and queen of Jordan.
7 April 2024
Norway: King Harald on sick leave for two more weeks
The Norwegian Royal Court announced on Thursday 4 April 2024 that King Harald, who was scheduled to return to his duties next week after having been on sick leave since late February, will be on sick leave for two more weeks. This blog article might be a bit outdated as it has already gone 3 days since the announcement, but I have been on vacation in Tanzania the last two weeks, and as I have written about the king's health developments previously, I thought I should include the latest announcement as well, at least for the record:
His Majesty The King on sick leave for two more weeks
His Majesty The King is undergoing rehabilitation following his hospitalisation earlier this winter and still needs more time before returning to his constitutional duties. Therefore, His Majesty will be on sick leave for two more weeks until Monday 22 April.
During this period, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince will act as regent.
His Majesty's official engagements will largely be taken care of by members of the Royal Family:
- His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Regent, Her Majesty The Queen and Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess host a reception at the Royal Palace for recipients of the King’s Medal of Merit on 9 April.
- Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess attends the presentation of Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen's research awards 2024 on 15 April.
- Her Majesty The Queen visits 'Drive' in Melhus, as well as Skaun municipality on 16 April.
Crown Prince Haakon's planned official visit to the West Coast of the US will proceed as scheduled from 15 to 19 April. The Norwegian Government will, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway, conduct the administration of the realm during this week.
04.04.2024
The Constitution of Norway Article 41 says that "If the King is absent from the realm unless commanding in the field, or if he is so ill that he cannot attend to the Government, the person next entitled to succeed to the throne shall, provided that he has attained the age stipulated for the King's majority, conduct the Government as the temporary executor of the Royal Powers. If this is not the case, the Council of State will conduct the administration of the realm."
The king and the crown prince take their constitutional responsibilites very seriously, so it is not often that the government (the Council of State) act as regent, at least they usually make sure that one of them is home to preside over the Council of State on Fridays. The Crown Prince is scheduled to visit San Francisco and Seattle from 15 to 18 April. I don't know the details of the visit yet, so it is too early to say if the crown prince will manage to return to Norway early enough on Friday 19 April to preside over the Council of State. If not, the Council of State will take place at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday 18 April instead.*
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia and at the National Hospital, Norway:
- 27.02.2024: Norway: King Harald hospitalized in Malaysia
- 28.02.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
- 29.02.2024: Norway: A new update on King Harald's health situation
- 02.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – temporary pacemaker implanted
- 03.03.2024: Norway: King Harald on his way home
- 04.03.2024: Norway: King Harald is back in Norway
- 06.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation (6 March 2024)
- 12.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – permanent pacemaker implanted
- 14.03.2024: Norway: King Harald discharged from the National Hospital
14 March 2024
Norway: King Harald discharged from the National Hospital
King Harald was today discharged from Rikshospitalet (the National Hospital) in Oslo, two days after having a permanent pacemaker implanted and 16 days after having fallen ill with an infection during his vacation in Malaysia.
The King discharged from hospital
His Majesty The King has today been discharged from Rikshospitalet and is doing well. The King is on sick leave until Monday, 8 April, for rest and recuperation.
His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Regent will take care of The King's constitutional duties during this period.
14.03.2024
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia and at the National Hospital, Norway:
- 27.02.2024: Norway: King Harald hospitalized in Malaysia
- 28.02.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
- 29.02.2024: Norway: A new update on King Harald's health situation
- 02.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – temporary pacemaker implanted
- 03.03.2024: Norway: King Harald on his way home
- 04.03.2024: Norway: King Harald is back in Norway
- 06.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation (6 March 2024)
- 12.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – permanent pacemaker implanted
12 March 2024
Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – permanent pacemaker implanted
The Norwegian Royal Court informed today that King Harald this morning had a permanent pacemaker implanted.
Update on His Majesty King Harald's health situation
His Majesty The King received this morning a permanent pacemaker. The procedure was successful, and His Majesty is doing well. His Majesty will remain in hospital for a few more days.
12.03.2024
In a press conference today, the king's personal physician, Bjørn Bendz, said that the infection that the king had suffered from had affected his heart, which brought about the need for a pacemaker (VG.no).
When the king traveled from Malaysia on a medical plane on 3 March, the court told that the king would be on sick leave for two weeks, meaning that he was expected to return to his duties on 18 March 2024. But according to the physician, King Harald will be on sick leave until some time after Easter.
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia and at the National Hospital, Norway:
- 27.02.2024: Norway: King Harald hospitalized in Malaysia
- 28.02.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
- 29.02.2024: Norway: A new update on King Harald's health situation
- 02.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – temporary pacemaker implanted
- 03.03.2024: Norway: King Harald on his way home
- 04.03.2024: Norway: King Harald is back in Norway
- 06.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation (6 March 2024)
6 March 2024
Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation (6 March 2024)
The Norwegian Royal Court issued today another press statement concerning King Harald's health situatuion:
Update on The King's health situation
His Majesty The King´s health is steadily improving, and his general condition is satisfactory. The treating physicians are content with the progress.
The infection is under control, and the pacemaker insertion is likely to take place early next week.
06.03.2024
The court also issued another statement today, in Norwegian only, where the king and queen expresses their thanks for all the care, help and support in connection with the king falling ill on their holiday in Malaysia.
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia:
- 27.02.2024: Norway: King Harald hospitalized in Malaysia
- 28.02.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
- 29.02.2024: Norway: A new update on King Harald's health situation
- 02.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – temporary pacemaker implanted
- 03.03.2024: Norway: King Harald on his way home
- 04.03.2024: Norway: King Harald is back in Norway
4 March 2024
Norway: King Harald is back in Norway
Just before 11 p.m. yesterday the medical plane which transported King Harald from Langkawi, Malaysia to Norway landed at Oslo Airport Gardermoen. The king was then driven to the National Hospital (Rikshospitalet) in Oslo where he was admitted for further examinations. He was going to stay at the hospital for treatment and rest. Queen Sonja who was also on the plane was taken back to the Royal Palace. According to the press statement which was issued just after the king had arrived, "The transportation went well, and His Majesty’s health is improving."
The Norwegian Armed Forces also produced a press release, informing among others that the medical plane had a medical team consisting of a team leader, two anaesthetists, a nurse anesthetist and two intensive care nurses on board to assist the king.
Today the Royal Palace issued yet another update on the king's health situation:
Update on The King's health situation
His Majesty The King, as informed in recent days, has been suffering from an infection and low heart rate, requiring hospitalization and medical transportation home.
The infection has recently become more under control. His Majesty has a low heart rate and will require a permanent pacemaker.
The timing of the pacemaker implantation will be determined by when His Majesty is completely free from infection. This could take several days, so The King is likely to remain at Rikshospitalet until after the weekend.
Overall, his condition is stable and improving.
04.03.2024
According to Norwegian media, the king has received visits from his nearest family today, including the queen, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Märtha Louise and later in the day also the Crown Prince Regent.
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia:
- 27.02.2024: Norway: King Harald hospitalized in Malaysia
- 28.02.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
- 29.02.2024: Norway: A new update on King Harald's health situation
- 02.03.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – temporary pacemaker implanted
- 03.03.2024: Norway: King Harald on his way home
3 March 2024
Norway: King Harald on his way home
Just after 5 a.m. today the Norwegian Royal Court issued a statement informing that King Harald was going home today.
Medical transportation of His Majesty The King
His Majesty The King will soon be on his way to Langkawi Airport for medical transportation. Her Majesty The Queen will accompany His Majesty.
Upon arrival in Norway, His Majesty will be admitted to the hospital Rikshospitalet.
His Majesty will be on sick leave for two weeks. During this period, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince will act as regent and assume His Majesty The King's constitutional duties.
03.03.2024
According to VG.no the king left the hospital in an ambulance at 05:25 Norwegian time (12:25 in Langkawi, Malaysia). The medical plane took off just after 6 a.m. (1 p.m.) and will make a short stop in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates before landing at Oslo Airport Gardermoen around midnight Norwegian time. The king will then be transported to the National Hospital, a department of Oslo University Hospital. The king will be on sick leave for two weeks, meaning that he will return to his duties on Monday 18 March if his health allows it. In the meantime Crown Prince Haakon will continue to serve as regent.
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia:
2 March 2024
United Kingdom: Inquest into the death of Thomas Kingston
A inquest into the death of Tom Kingston, who was found dead on Sunday 25 February 2024, was opened on Friday 1 March 2024 at Gloucestershire Coroners Court in Gloucester. In the inquest the senior coroner informed that Mr. Kingston was found dead in an outbuilding on the property of his parents in the Cotswolds "with a catastrophic head injury" with a gun "present at the scene"".
Tom Kingston (full name Thomas Henry Robin Kingston), b. 1978, was married to Lady Gabriella Kingston, née Windsor, b. 1981, a daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and thus a second cousin to King Charles III.
Sources (see links): BBC News and GloucestershireLive.
Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation – temporary pacemaker implanted
Yesterday the Norwegian Royal Court issued another update on King Harald's health situation:
Update on His Majesty King Harald's health situation
His Majesty The King´s health is still improving. His Majesty will remain at the hospital for a few more days for treatment and rest before returning home to Norway.
01.03.2024
Today the court could reveal that the king has had a temporary pacemaker implanted:
Update on His Majesty King Harald's health situation
His Majesty The King had a temporary pacemaker implanted today at Hospital Sultanah Maliha in Langkawi.
– The pacemaker was implanted due to a low heart rate. The decision was made earlier today, and the procedure was successful. His Majesty is doing well under the circumstances but still requires rest. The procedure will make the return back home safer, according to His Majesty The King's personal physician, Bjørn Bendz.
The medical transportation to Norway is likely to take place within the next couple of days.
02.03.2024
The last statement sounds a bit more dramatic than earlier statements which has mainly dealt with the king fallen ill with an infection. But I continue to believe that the king is taken well care of and that he just needs some time to get better again. I suspect, however, that the king will not be able to preside over the Council of State coming Friday as planned, even if he will return home within the next couple of days. He might be on sick leave for a while. We will surely get more information in due course.
Meanwhile the king's health situation, his vacation and the transportation home has been among the topics in the general and social media the last days. First of all, as I have already commented earlier, I don't think the king would have traveled to Malaysia if his health had not allowed it. He was just a bit unlucky that he got ill while on vacation. He should be allowed to go on vacation as everyone else, even if he is 87 years old.
The media has also covered the flight of the medical plane which has already landed at the Langkawi International Airport. The transportation is said to cost above NOK 2 millions (as of today about 189.222 USD). The expenses will be covered by the defense budget. Of course this is a lot of money, but we are talking about the head of state here, and this is is the most efficient, secure and comfortable way of getting him home. It should not be a discussion about the form of government. A Norwegian president (God forbid!) fallen ill while on vacation would surely also be transported home the same way to make it possible for him or her to resume governing (just as in case of a monarch to resume reigning) as soon as possible.
Earlier articles on the King's hospitalisation in Malaysia:
29 February 2024
Norway: A new update on King Harald's health situation
The Norwegian Royal Court has today issued yet another update on King Harald's health situation:
Update on His Majesty King Harald's health situation
His Majesty The King's personal physician reports that His Majesty is improving. King Harald is still undergoing treatment at the hospital.
As reported yesterday, His Majesty will remain at the hospital for a few more days, and he is being well taken care of there.
The aim is for His Majesty to be able to return to Norway by plane in a few days. The Norwegian Government is facilitating the transportation, and the Norwegian Armed Forces are responsible for the practical arrangements for his return to Norway.
29.02.2024
In other words, the king seems to be doing better and the court is now, with the assistance of the government and the Norwegian Armed Forces, preparing to getting the king home to Norway. It is somewhat worrisome that he is not coming home on an ordinary flight, but given the situation it is understandable that the government will provide a more comfortable transportation for him. We can rest assured that the king is in good hands and just hope that he will get a speedy recovery.
Earlier articles concerning King Harald's hospitalisation in Malaysia:
- 27.02.2024: Norway: King Harald hospitalized in Malaysia
- 28.02.2024: Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
28 February 2024
Norway: Update on King Harald's health situation
Following the news yesterday that King Harald had been admitted to hospital during his vacation in Malaysia, the Norwegian Royal Court issued a new statement today:
Update on His Majesty King Harald´s health situation
His Majesty The King's personal physician is in Langkawi and confirms that the King is improving from his infection. His Majesty is well taken care of at the hospital and is receiving good treatment.
His Majesty will remain at the hospital for a few more days. No decision has been made regarding his return home. The Norwegian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has offered practical assistance during the visit.
The official program for the rest of the Royal Family continues as planned.
The king's personal physician is Bjørn Bendz, b. 1964, who took over the position after Otto Smiseth in 2020. Bendz is a professor in medicine and in charge of the Heart, Lung and Vascular Clinic at Rikshospitalet (the National Hospital), which is a part of Oslo University Hospital.
The king is on vacation in Langkawi in Malaysia together with Queen Sonja. As the press statement says, no decision has been made regarding the king's return home, but as I mentioned yesterday the official program says that the Crown Prince will serve as Regent for another week and that the king has planned to preside over the Council of State on Friday 8 March. We just have to wait and see if changes to the program of official engagements will be made.
Crown Prince Haakon said to the press today that he had talked with his parents, that his impression was that the king's health situation had improved and that he was in good hands.
King Harald celebrated his 87th birthday last week, so it is natural that necessary precautions are taken when he has fallen ill. Some people has criticized the king for traveling, but even though he has had periods of sick leave in the last few years I don't think he would have traveled if his health had been at risk. He could easily have fallen ill while in Norway as well.
27 February 2024
United Kingdom: Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, found dead
Buckingham Palace issued tonight a statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray, informing of the death of Thomas Kingston.
It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother. Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the whole family and we ask you to respect our privacy as we mourn his passing.
Thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine II of the Hellenes
- Queen Anne-Marie
- Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal
- Princess Maria-Olympia
- Prince Achileas-Andreas
- Prince Odysseas-Kimon
- Prince Aristides-Stavros
- Princess Alexia and Carlos Morales Quintana *
- Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana
- Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar
- Prince Philippos and Princess Nina
- Princess Irene
- Princess Alexandra (daughter of Prince Michael)
- Darius Mirzayantz * (son of the former)
- Queen Camilla
- The Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York
- Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
- The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) and Sir Tim Laurence
- Zara and Mike Tindall
- Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto,
- The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
- The Duke of Kent
- The Earl and Countess of St. Andrews
- Lady Helen Taylor
- Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
- Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy
- James and Julia Ogilvy
- Marina Ogilvy,
- The Marquess and Marchioness of Milford Haven
- The Countess Mountbatten of Burma
- Lady Alexandra and Thomas Hooper
- India (Hicks) and David Flint Wood
- Amory Flint Wood (son of the former and a godchild of King Constantine).
- Archduchess Helen *
- Margrave Bernhard and Margravine Stephanie
- Prince Kyril
- Princess Benedikte (sister-in-law of King Constantine)
- Hereditary Prince Ernst August
- Landgrave Donatus
- Princess Saskia
- Queen Noor
- Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath
- Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine
- Prince Gustav and Princess Carina
- Princess Alexandra, Countess of Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille
- Prince Alexander *
- King Felipe
- Queen Letizia
- Queen Sophia (sister of King Constantine)
- King Juan Carlos
- Infanta Elena
- Infanta Cristina
- Juan Urdangarin y Borbón (son of the former)
- Count Hans Veit *
- Princess Tatiana Radziwill
Sources
- The Official Website of the Royal Family of Greece
- The Official Website of the Crown Prince of Serbia
- The Royal Watcher (blog)
- Nobiliana.de, thread Memorial Service for King Constantine ll of the Hellenes
- Various X (Twitter) accounts, including Rodrigo, RoyalArjan and Rebecca English.