"Sometimes life is simply very difficult"

 

Royally
King Harald V
The king's first words about the problems in the family
King Harald gave a speech to the representatives of the Storting

Jenny Alexandersson

Published 11.29

King Harald gave a speech to the representatives of the Storting during a dinner at the Royal Palace in Oslo. Photo: TT

For the first time, King Harald, 87, has mentioned the tough problems the royal family is grappling with.

The Crown Princess's son Marius Borg Høiby, 27, has admitted abuse and Princess Märtha Louise, 53, and her husband Durek Verrett, 49, have made money from the princess's title.

- Sometimes life is simply very difficult, the king said in a speech during a dinner for the Storting.

Since Marius Borg Høiby was arrested for assault and vandalism of his then-girlfriend's apartment in August, there has been silence from both the court and the royal couple.

Harald and Sonja have also not commented on the criticism that has flowed over the wedding of daughter Märta Louise and her husband Durek Verrett. The bride and groom sold the image rights to Netflix and Hello and also organized a sale of the princess' clothing brand in connection with the festivities.

Now the king reveals for the first time that the tough times have affected the family a lot.

During the gala dinner for Storting representatives at the palace in Oslo yesterday, he stated that the royal family is a team that works well together.

King Harald's speech had several comic points. He drew many laughs when he opened the speech by talking about the sarcophagus being made for the royal couple's future burial. Photo: TT

- And so we are a family - with the joys and challenges that we all know can come with it. In both good and difficult times, we try to stand together and support each other.

The king thanked for all the warmth and concern that people have shown the family during "this special and demanding year", which also meant that the king became seriously ill during a trip to Malaysia.
- Sometimes life is simply very difficult. It's something that everyone can experience - even our family. When people we care about are not well, it hurts those around us. We try our best to take care of each other. Tonight we send an extra warm thought to everyone who is having a hard time, said the king.

The Norwegian court receives money for a sarcophagus for the king

Jenny Alexandersson

Published 2024-10-07

Queen Sonja and King Harald will be buried in the royal burial chapel at Akershus fortress. Photo: TT

The government will give the court NOK 20 million for the construction of a sarcophagus for King Harald and Queen Sonja. It was clear when the government's budget proposal was presented today.

The court will be responsible for ordering the sarcophagus, which will be the royal couple's final resting place. The Norwegian royal house announced this in a press release today.

There has been a plan for the Norwegian royal couple's demise for some time, as is traditionally the case in most royal houses. King Harald and Queen Sonja will be buried in the sarcophagus at the royal burial chapel at Akershus Castle.

Created together with the royal couple

All members of the royal family have been buried there since Norway became independent in 1905. Today, this is the resting place of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud, King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha.

The sarcophagus is created in consultation with the royal couple and the architectural firm Snøhetta. Work on the sarcophagus is still at an early stage.

The royal burial chapel at Akershus Castle. King Haakon and Queen Maud rest in a marble sarcophagus in the royal mausoleum. On the right are King Olav and Crown Princess Märtha's bronze sarcophagus. Photo: TT

The royal couple together with the crown prince couple Haakon and Mette-Marit. Princess Ingrid Alexandra on the far left and her brother Prince Sverre Magnus on the far right. Photo: TT