I guess some of the controversy is that the NRF admitted they get things for free? or that she doesnt pay VAT taxes for the free items??
- Gr fra kongehus til motehus - Kjendis
I think the core critique that started it all was that she goes on these conferences to save the poor and whatnot, in outfits that cost quite a bit in retail pricing.
Then the court had a statement that said that she spends full price on not everything - some things she gets for free, some things she buys full price, some things she get rebated and the majority of clothes/accessories she buys on sale.
And then the debate began about whether it was appropriate for a Crown Princess of Norway to get things for free. And since she does not pay taxes, she therefore does not have to declare these gifts to the finance department, like the Norwegian bloggers do (therefore they're upset, I guess), or anyone else.
I haven't read all the articles, but there was also one where a Danish journalist was interviewed (he's written an article in Norwegian media that says we should be more critical of the royal house) who said that this would not happen in Denmark, and cited an example with Joachim and Frederik not wearing Lacoste brand back in the 80s because the Danish royal house did not want to promote any brand over the others.
And so on, and so forth.
You can really tell that it is summer in Norway, when every small news item gets blown up and debated to death.
Personally, I don't see why they're so surprised as I have thought it was something like this all along (the portion of her and Haakon may be moderately large, but even that does not cover all she has been wearing over the past 11 years), and why it is news 11 years into her tenure as a Crown Princess. I expect Queen Sonja has had a similar attitude, as have other countries.