The Presidium, represented by President of the Storting Olemic Thommessen and Vice Presidents Marit Nybakk, Svein Roald Hansen, Ingjerd Schou and Line Henriette Hjemdal, attended the gala performance on 17^th January. This event marked the culmination of the Government’s gift to the Royal Couple on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of Their Majesties’ accession to the throne. A host of winter fun and games in the Palace Square earlier that day also comprised part of the gift.

Thanked for a quarter century of excellent service

At the gala performance, the President of the Storting made a speech during which he thanked the Royal Couple on behalf of the Storting for 25 years of excellent service. The President also paid tribute to the Royal Couple’s unerring ability to keep up with the times. 

“The Royal Couple has kept itself modern and relevant. The King and the Queen encapsulate important aspects of the age without losing sight of the strong bedrock of tradition that underpins the monarchy,” the President of the Storting added.

He rounded off by stressing how important it was that the Royal Couple had an impeccable understanding of what it meant to be regents in a democracy.

The gala performance was relayed live on a big screen in University Square, as well as being broadcast on NRK later the same evening.

Two million for Oscarshall

The Storting’s gift to the Royal Couple is the sum of two million kroner for the renovation of the Cavalier House at Oscarshall Summer Palace. The gift was presented by Marit Nybakk, First Vice President of the Storting.

“The Storting’s gift is a contribution to making Oscarshall more accessible to the general public,” Thommessen said.

Read more about the Storting's gift to the Royal Couple.