VE Day Marked in Norway By Harald, Haakon and Astrid

King Harald has delivered a speech at celebrations at Akershus Fortress marking the anniversary of VE Day.

“Peace is not a given. It is not today, and it was not 70 years ago. Behind the roaring on May Day in 1945 was the seriousness of what we had experienced and learned: that peace, freedom and democracy is not something we can take for granted. These values ​​must be built, protected – and, if necessary, defended with their lives at stake,” the King said, before tying in current events: “Also today, innocent people worldwide are experiencing war and conflict. Every day some lose their freedom and every day some lose loved ones.”

King Harald laid a wreath at the National Monument before opening an exhibition on Norway’s highest military distinction, the War Cross, at the Armed Forces Museum.

In Bergen, Crown Prince Haakon toured the DS Hestmanden, a navy ship which survived both World Wars and is today a museum ship. The Crown Prince met with war veterans, and laid a wreath at the Shetland-Larsen memorial.

Princess Astrid, meanwhile, laid a wreath at the War Sailors Monument on Bygdøynes in Oslo. The monument, which honours Norway’s navy and merchant sailors who died in World War II, was unveiled by King Olav V in 1980.

Filed under Norway
Tagged Anniversary, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Harald V of Norway, Princess Astrid of Norway, VE Day, World War II.

One Response to VE Day Marked in Norway By Harald, Haakon and Astrid