One step closer to a Palace Museum?

I didn't have much time for blogging last week. Between my visit to Poznan in Poland 27-30 November and my trip to Sandefjord last weekend, I had to finish some Christmas preparations on my sparetime. But now as everything seems to be on schedule, I hope to be able to update my blog as well as to do some work on my website the next few days. Next week, however, I will probably be too busy at work to be able to get anything done with my website and blog.

My football statistics will be on the top of my priority list this week, but I hope to update some of my royalty websites as well. And maybe bring up a royal topic or two for my blog? While I was in Poland, the Norwegian daily Aftenposten (printed edition only) published an interesting article about a possible Palace museum. I have earlier mentioned that the idea of locating a museum in the Royal Stables has been scrapped in favour of more office space and library (a project that has been put on hold).

Aftenposten reports that when a budget recommendation for the year 2011 was recently submitted, the Member of Parliament and former Minister of Finance, Per Kristian Foss, proposed the following:

"The Storting asks the Government to evaluate the possibility to set up an exhibit and a possible museum that can make the Palace’s many stored cultural treasures accessible for the public."

As the idea of a Palace museum now is supported by the politicians, the royal dream of a museum seems to be at least one step closer to becoming reality. It will now first of all be the Government to carry the idea through. The building that earlier housed Norges Geografiske Oppmåling (The Norwegian Mapping and Cadastre Authority) and Statens Kunstakademi (The Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts) in St. Olavs gate 32 (photo, 1965) has been mentioned as a suitable location for a Palace museum.

Large parts of the royal collection are currently stored away. See photos at Aftenposten.no (published on 31 October 2010). Aftenposten also had another article on the subject in June this year.

Luxembourg: Grand Duke Henri's 10th anniversary

Today, 7 October 2010, it is 10 year since Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg (b. 1921) abdicated and was succeeded by his eldest son, Henri (b. 1955).

The Luxembourgian newspaper Wort.lu has made a special report about the anniversary, which includes many photos. At the Luxembourgian government's official website one can still find the publication Avenèment au Trône de S.A.R. le Grand Duc Henri about his accession to the throne as well as other information.

You can also find the act concerning Grand Duke Jean's abdication and other constitutional documents at my own Luxembourg page.

Grand Duke Henri created some controversy in 2008 when he refused to sanction a bill to allow euthanasia, a decision which lead to a constitutional amendment by which he lost the right to promulgate laws.

Hoelseth's Royal Corner returns!

Happy New Year! I am pleased to tell that the royalty index page Hoelseth's Royal Corner is finally back again!

Most of the supages from the old website at Geocities.com are not available yet, but I hope to get the work done soon. I plan to make more additions and changes to my royalty pages during the spring, so please come back later.

See also Changes.html for a survey of all the new and updated pages at my website Hoelseth.no.