Norway's Royal Family Celebrates National Day, Social Distancing-Style
Norway's Royal Family Celebrates National Day, Social Distancing-Style
Every year on May 17, Norway celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day, an official public holiday marking the anniversary of the signing of the country's constitution, which declared Norway an independent kingdom in 1814.
Typically, syttende mai (seventeenth May) as it is often referred to locally, is commemorated with children's parades and appearances by the royal family. But things look a little different this year, due to social distancing restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how the royals recognized the day.
Queen Sonja of Norway and King Harald of Norway
Norway's King and Queen posed for a portrait in the garden room of their royal estate in Oslo on the eve of the Norway's national holiday.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and their children.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (L), Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (R), and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (2nd R), and Prince Sverre Magnus (2nd L), took their dogs for a walk outside their home Skaugum on Norwegian Constitution Day. Mette-Marit and Ingrid Alexandra can be seen wearing a traditional style of dress known as a bunad.
The royals still waved their flags up on the Palace balcony.
While the Royal Palace in Oslo was closed to the public amid the pandemic, the royal family still stood on the balcony, proudly waving their flags.
And they took a tour by car.
The royals also drove through the streets on Sunday. Here are Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit greeting the public while still social distancing.
The King and Queen greeted the people.
Here's one more overhead shot of the King and Queen driving through the streets, marking the holiday responsibly.
The holiday looked a little different this year.