Norwegian Royal Family Hosted a Gala Dinner for Members of the Parliament

 

On October 26, 2023, the Norwegian Royal Family hosted the traditional gala dinner for members of the Parliament at the Royal Palace. In attendance were Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Astrid, the 91 year-old older sister of King Harald V. 

His Majesty was on sick leave as he contracted coronavirus days ago, so his speech was delivered by his son, Crown Prince Haakon. However, King Harald V, 86, attended the Opening of the Norwegian Parliament early in October 2023.

Crown Prince Haakon delivers the speech of his father Photo credit: Norwegian royal house

Crown Prince Haakon and his mother, Queen Sonja. Photo credit: Norwegian royal house

The Norwegian royals were in full court regalia during the event. However, despite the glitters and glamour, the three female royals wore repeat outfits.

Queen Sonja wore a white Balmain gown which she first wore way back 1992. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is known with her practice of recycling her outfits on numerous occasions, wore a Lela Rose skirt and Biyan embellished top in short sleeves with delicate hand embroidery. While the King's sister, Princess Astrid, wore an orange silk dress.

Royal fashion at the traditional gala dinner

The stunning sights of the evening were the sparkling tiaras that they wore. Queen Sonja donned the Queen Maud's pearl tiara, something that she rarely wore. She paired it with a five-strand pearl choker necklace, and a pair of dropped pearl earrings.

Queen Sonja wore Queen Maud's Pearl Tiara

Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore the Amethyst Parure, which consisted of a convertible tiara, pair of earrings, brooch, and bracelets. Queen Sonja was the original wearer of this set of jewelry and she often wore the tiara as a necklace. 

However, ever since it was loaned to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, she always wore it as a tiara and never a necklace. Unlike most of the jewelry in the royal Norwegian collection, This Amethyst parure was a gift from King Harald V to his wife, Queen Sonja.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore the Amethyst Necklace Tiara

Princess Astrid wore her Ruby and Diamond Aigrette Tiara, originally belonged to her grandmother, Queen Maud, who was born Princess Maud of Wales, the youngest daughter of King Edward VII of Britain and his Danish wife, Queen Alexandra.

Princess Astrid often joked about the tiara, which looked like an antenna, one (antenna) receives (a message from) London and the other one from Moscow. 😂

Princess Astrid wore the Ruby and Diamond Aigrette Tiara

All of them including Crown Prince Haakon, wore the Sash and Star of the Order of St. Olav. Princess Astrid also wore family Orders of her father, King Olaf, and her grandfather, King Haakon VII (born Prince Charles of Denmark). 

The traditional Parliament Dinner was established by King Haakon VII in 1906, a year after he was elected as the new monarch of the independent Norway (after separating from Sweden). It has been held every year since then except during World War I and II, and in 2020 during the pandemic.

Wishing King Harald V of Norway early health recovery!