Well, it's Stortingsdinner time again, so let's go through it:
History of the dinner: Established as a permanent tradition by King Haakon VII in 1906, and held every year since, at The Royal Palace (except during the WWII-years and under major renovations).
About the dinner: Well, the MPs (including the Prime Minister, other ministers and some representatives of other authorities in Norway) will start walking into the Palace at about 19:00 (18:00 UK time).
They will be greeted by the King, the Queen, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess (yes, she will be present, so proud of her) & Princess Astrid (suffering from several illnesses, including Parkinson's disease, but still going strong at 86) in Speilsalen (the Music Hall). - Photos of the room:
photo 1 -
photo 2
They will then walk into the Smal Dining Room. - Photos of the room:
photo 1 -
photo 2 -
photo 3
And then into the Smal Ballroom. - Photos of the room:
photo 1 -
photo 2
And then into the The Great Ballroom. - Photos of the room:
photo 1 -
photo 2 -
photo 3
And then into the Banqueting Hall. - Photos of the room:
photo 1 -
photo 2 -
photo 3 -
photo 4
The royal procession (headed by Lord Chamberlain, Gry Mølleskog) of Their Majesties, Their Royal Highnesses & Princess Astrid will start at 20:00 - and go through the same beautiful rooms.
HM The King will then give a speech (usually a very funny one), followed by the National Anthem, a speech from the President of The Storting (Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen, her first time as president) before the Royal Anthem will be played.
Well, this was it!
--------------------
And to those who might notice that not every male wears white-tie? Well, people are told to wear their finest outfits, and that's exactly what they're doing (white/black-tie or even suits).
--------------------
Television-coverage:
Well, in Norway, we are as crazy as the Brits/Danes (if not even more) - And both The May 17th (National Day) Celebrations, The Opening of the Storting in October, The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in December, The King's New-Years-speeches, milestone Birthdays/Jubilees of the Regent-Couple and other special events such as Weddings & Christenings are always sent live on NRK1 (the state-owned Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation's and Norway's largest TV-channel) and on TV2 News Channel (owned by the TV2 Group, Norway's largest commercial media company).
But the Stortingsdinner has always been the exception - and was first covered after TV2 News Channel was launched in 2007. However, that changed last year when NRK2 (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation's second largest TV-channel) started covering it.
This evening: Well, the royal procession and the speeches will be covered live by NRK2 (from 19:45 to 20:30) and TV2 News Channel (from 19:30 to 20:30).
I will, of course, provide live-links if available (about 80% sure that there will be at least one that works outside Norway).
Thanks, Muhler! ?
