On the evening of Friday, June 17, 2022, various European Kings, Queens and heirs to the thrones pose for a historic photo during Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway’s birthday gala dinner.
Front row (L-R): Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.
Second row (L-R): Her Highness Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, Ms. Marit Tsjessm (grandmother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra), Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince Daniel of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden, and Her Royal Highness Princess Estelle of Sweden.
Third row (L-R): Miss Emma Tallulah Behn, Miss Leah Isadora Behn, Miss Maud Angelica Behn, Mr. (Shaman) Durek Verrett, Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, Her Royal Highness Princess Elisabeth of the Belgians, Duchess of Brabant, Mr. Marius Borg Høiby, His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway, Her Royal Highness Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Oranje, His Royal Highness Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Luxembourg, and Her Royal Highness Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg.
Fourth row (L-R): Ms. Rosario Nadal, His Highness Prince Tassilo of Bulgaria, Her Highness Princess Olia Preslavska, Her Highness Princess Mafalda-Cecilia Preslavska, Ms. Katharine Jibba Butler, His Royal Highness Prince Kyril of Bulgaria, Duke in Saxony, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Duke of Sparta, Her Royal Highness Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Duchess of Sparta, Her Royal Highness Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece, His Royal Highness Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece, and His Royal Highness Prince Aristides of Greece.
On Friday, June 17, 2022, the Norwegian royal court released a photo of the future heirs to European thrones ahead of Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway’s gala dinner held at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
In the back row (L-R) Her Royal Highness Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Oranje (not Orange) and Her Royal Highness Princess Elisabeth of the Belgians, Duchess of Brabant.
In the front row (L-R) Her Royal Highness Princess Estelle of Sweden, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway and His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Luxembourg.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway is wearing the late Her Royal Highness Princess Ingeborg of Sweden’s Boucheron diamond and pearl tiara. Her decoration is the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav.
Her Royal Highness Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Oranje is wearing the Dutch diamond Star tiara and her decoration is the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands.
Her Royal Highness Princess Elisabeth of the Belgians, Duchess of Brabant is wearing what looks to be the late Queen Elisabeth’s necklace turned into a tiara or it could be a new tiara. Her decoration is the Order of Leopold.
After the release of the controversial TV2 documentary, Herlufsholms Hemmeligheder (Herlufsholm’s Secrets) and the immediate fallout last month, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark released another statement regarding their eldest son, His Royal Highness Prince Christian of Denmark, attendance at the prestigious boarding school. Here is what they had to say:
“As parents, we are at the moment facing some difficult considerations about our oldest children’s schooling. It is discussed in many places – also here on our own social media. It makes an impression on us. We have previously stated that we as a family are burdened by the unfortunate situation at Herlufsholm, and that we will follow the changes that are obviously necessary. Here we will try to share some of our thoughts and put more words into the considerations we make as a family.
Bullying, violence, and abuse are never acceptable. We must respond to the painful and devastating events by insisting on changes that ensure a safe environment for all. And we must also acknowledge the courage of those who have shared their violent experiences.
At the same time, we are the parents of a son who is very happy to go to the school. And a daughter who has long been looking forward to starting in the same place.
The question is whether the two sides can go hand in hand; whether we as parents can let our children go to Herlufsholm and at the same time react and insist on changes that benefit all students at the school. There will be divided opinions about that. But for us, the answer depends both on the investigations that have been initiated and on the effect of the initiatives that the school already has decided on. In addition, we will look at the school’s upcoming initiatives, but also at what we as parents can demand and contribute. The goal must be a future Herlufsholm, where all students – no matter who they are – thrive and can feel safe based on healthy values.
Finally, we will continue to talk with our children, show them confidence and listen to their wishes. Their perspective will also have to be taken into account when making our decision about their future schooling. Like all other parents, we want to do the best for our children. At the same time, we are aware of our special position as Crown Prince Couple. Here and now we do not know all the answers. As a family, we need more knowledge to be able to make the right decision for our children.
The Crown Prince Couple “
As a result of the fallout, the Herlufsholm announced that the school has created a “Well-Being Manager” on site at the elite boarding school beginning on August 1, 2022. Per a Herlufsholm press release:
“We have put in place an academic staff member whose position will be a Well-Being Manager. Herlufsholm School has for a number of years had a focus on student well-being. We will increase the efforts further with the desire to ensure a good environment and necessary cultural changes to create a nurturing, safe everyday life for all students at the school.”
On Friday, June 17, 2022, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended day four of Royal Ascot. Riding in the carriage with the royal couple were The Honorable Arthur Vesty and The Honorable Mrs. Vesty.
Riding in carriage two were Mr. Peter Philips and his new girlfriend, Ms. Lindsay Wallace, The Duke of Bedford and The Duchess of Bedford.
Riding in carriage three were The Viscount Brookeborough, The Viscountess Brookeborough, and Mr. and Mrs. Darby Dennis.
Riding in carriage four were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Osgood and Mr. and Mrs. Nico de Boinville.
On the morning of Friday, June 17, 2022, the Norwegian royal court released new photographs of Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway in celebration of her 18th birthday. The photographs were taken in the Upper Vestibule at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway is wearing the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav and His Majesty King Harald V’s House Order (portrait brooch), which were conferred on her by His Majesty The King on her 18th birthday on January 21, 2022.
This is the first time Princess Ingrid Alexandra is wearing the decorations. She is also wearing miniatures of the Order of St. Olav, the Royal House of Norway Centenary Medal, and His Majesty King Harald V’s Jubilee Medal 1991 – 2016.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra is also wearing a diamond and pearl tiara that has been passed down from Her Royal Highness Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, who was the grandmother of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway and the great-great-Grandmother of Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ingeborg of Sweden received the diamond and pearl tiara as a gift from her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Carl of Sweden, more than 120 years ago. “It means a great deal to me that the tiara has now been given to Princess Ingrid Alexandra,” said Her Highness Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner.
“It is a beautiful tiara made of interlocking diamond circles set in platinum. The button-style diamond and pearl elements are later additions. Grandfather purchased the tiara for Grandmother when they were attending the Paris Exposition in 1900,” Princess Astrid explained. Princess Ingeborg’s husband, Prince Carl, was aware that his wife had several tiaras that were heavy to wear.
At the Paris Exposition, the Prince saw the tiara on display by the jeweler, Boucheron, and purchased it. “Grandfather bought this for my grandmother because it was lighter to wear on important occasions,” says Princess Astrid.
When Princess Ingeborg died, Her Highness Princess Ragnhild, Mrs. Lorentzen inherited the tiara. Princess Ragnhild’s children gave the tiara to Princess Ingrid Alexandra as their gift on her 18th birthday. “Princess Ragnhild wanted Ingrid Alexandra to have Grandmother’s tiara,” said Princess Astrid.
Princess Ingeborg, the great-great-grandmother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra, often let her three daughters borrow her jewelry. In photographs from Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha’s extensive tour in 1939, Crown Princess Märtha can be seen wearing her mother’s tiara at a gala dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. “Grandmother let Mother borrow her tiara when Mother and Father travelled to the USA,” said Princess Astrid.
This evening at the Royal Palace in Oslo, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway will wear the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav, His Majesty King Harald V’s House Order, and Princess Ingeborg’s diamond and pearl tiara for the first time at a gala dinner held in her honor and hosted by Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.
Dozens of foreign royals will attend this evening’s gala dinner including:
Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians
Her Royal Highness Princess Elisabeth of the Belgians, Duchess of Brabant
Their Majesties King Wille-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
Her Royal Highness Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Oranje
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece
Her Royal Highness Princess Maria – Olympia of Greece
His Royal Highness Prince Constantine – Alexios of Greece
His Royal Highness Prince Aristidis – Stavros of Greece
Their Royal Highnesses Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg
His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Luxembourg
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden
Her Royal Highness Princess Estelle of Sweden
His Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden
His Highness Prince Kyril of Bulgaria
Her Highness Princess Mafalda-Cecilia Preslavska
Her Highness Princess Olia Preslavska
His Highness Prince Tassilo
If you’re interested in watching tonight’s gala dinner and grand ball the Norwegian television network, NRK, will air the royals entering the gala event and perhaps some segments thereafter live online at the link below. However, I must inform you that there will be no subtitles.
On the evening of Thursday, June 16, 2022, the Norwegian government hosted a gala dinner in celebration of Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway’s official day at the Deichman Hovedbibliotek Bjørvika in Oslo. The gala dinner was due to be held on January 21, 2022, but due to the pandemic, the event was canceled.
According to a press release, over 200 guests attended this evening’s celebrations including members of the Norwegian government and Supreme Court as well as “…Young representatives of sports, cultural life, community life, politics and organizational life from all over the country were invited to thegala dinner.”
Naturally, members of the Norwegian royal family were in attendance including Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway, Her Highness Princess Martha Louise of Norway accompanied by her fiancé, Shaman Durek, Her Highness Princess Astrid of Norway, and though not an official royal, Mr. Marius Borg Høiby (step-brother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus).
During this evening’s celebrations, Princess Ingrid Alexandra — who will become Norway’s first female monarch when she ascends to the throne — gave a wonderful speech. Here is what she had to say:
“President of the Storting Prime Minister Justitiarius Dear all,
I would like to start by saying thank you for this wonderful celebration. Being received by the Torshov Corps and the girls’ choir was so nice, and you were incredibly good. It was really magical to listen to Delara and Ina Svenningdal downstairs.
Thank you to everyone who has helped make this evening an experience both for me and everyone who is here today. I would also like to thank all the guests who have traveled from all over the country. The experience becomes even more valuable when I have so many to share it with.
I’m very grateful to have us here at Deichman tonight. Here people come in day in and day out to borrow books, work with school, and be social. I myself have been here several times and it has become such a nice place.
I would very much like to say thank you for last. Both to you Prime Minister, to the President of the Storting and to the Attorney General. You received me so well when I visited the three powers in connection with my day of authority. It was an educational day, and I got to meet many nice and nice people.
The visits were really a reminder of how lucky we are here in Norway. A reminder of our democracy and the secure governance system we have. What we Norwegians have built up over a long period of time, and which we continue to develop, and protect, every day.
I feel very lucky to have grown up in a country where we trust each other, and where we together try to find good solutions. Solutions that allow as many people as possible to have the best possible. This is a principle that it is important that we in Norway uphold.
Trust is not created by individuals, politicians or institutions alone. It is created by all of us – together. I am glad to share that with all of you who are here today, and all who live in our country.
Again, I want to say thank you so much for the gift. I wish everyone a continued good evening. At least I’m looking forward to it.
Thank you very much.”
Please click here and here to watch video clips from this evening’s gala dinner.
On the afternoon of Thursday, June 16, 2022, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco accompanied by their daughter, Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella of Monaco, watched the Fête-Dieu procession from the balcony at the Palais Princier de Monaco in Monaco-Ville.
The Fête-Dieu, aka Corpus Christi or Corpus Domini, is known as the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. This feast day is celebrated on the Thursday following Holy Trinity, sixty days after Easter, as a reminder of the Institution of the Eucharist which takes place on Holy Thursday of Holy Week. It commemorates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine that is traditionally consecrated during the Mass.
The Royal Correspondent 