King Harald, Queen Sonja, the heir couple and their children arrived at the Holmenkollen chapel on December 25, under thick fog. The royal family, in the midst of turmoil, had many prayers to offer this Christmas Day, as they attended their traditional Nativity service.
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King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus at the Christmas service
Each year, the Norwegian royal family attends one or more Christmas services, depending on where they celebrate. This year, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are spending Christmas with their children, King Harald V and Queen Sonja. An entire royal family arrived together at the Holmonkollen chapel this Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
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King Harald V, aged 87, has been using crutches for some time. His wife, Queen Sonja, also 87, has lightened her schedule this year and delegated some of her obligations to other members of her family. Crown Prince Haakon, 51, frequently the sole master at the royal palace, is frequently called upon to replace his father as head of state and act as regent.
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A complicated year for the Norwegian royal family which ends in fog
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 51, has certainly experienced her “annus horribilis”. The sovereign's daughter-in-law had to resume her treatment against pulmonary fibrosis, a respiratory disease whose side effects of treatment are very restrictive. The Crown Princess had to be absent at the end of the summer and a good part of this fall for medical reasons. At the same time, the arrests of Marius, his eldest son, did not help his condition. Crown Prince Haakon's stepson has been arrested three times and the serious charges against him risk sending him to prison.
For Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, it was a year of discovery, as she began her military service and will continue her training for almost half of the coming year. The discreet Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, finished his high school studies this year and has found temporary work for a few months, probably waiting until the beginning of 2025 before he too begins his military service. In the meantime, the young man settled in Trondheim with his girlfriend.
The atmosphere was therefore special on this Christmas Day, when the royal family arrived in the mist, in this typical dragon-style chapel. THE dragon style (dragon style) appeared in the late 19th century and became widespread in Norwegian architecture in the 20th century. These wooden dwellings are inspired by the Viking style. The royal family attends Christmas services at Holmenkolen Chapel when staying at Kongsseteren, the royal chalet often occupied during the winter or Easter holidays. The wooden chapel was built in 1903. Ravaged by a fire in 1992, it was rebuilt identically in 1996.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
