Belgian Royal Family Embarks on State Visit to Norway

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are undertaking a state visit to Norway from March 24 to 26, at the invitation of King Harald V of Norway. This visit underscores the longstanding and close familial ties between the two royal houses.

A Century of Connection

The Belgian and Norwegian Royal Families share over a century of close relationships, rooted in familial connections. King Harald V and King Philippe are first cousins; their fathers, King Albert II of Belgium and King Olav V of Norway, were also first cousins.

Historical Royal Interactions

The ties between the families date back decades. King Olav V of Norway hosted his nephew, King Baudouin of Belgium, and Queen Fabiola during a state visit in 1965. King Baudouin also attended the wedding of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. Further cementing the bond, King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium made a state visit to Norway in April 1997, where they were received by King Harald V and Queen Sonja at Akershus Fortress.

Recent Royal Engagements

In 2003, the Belgian Royal Family hosted King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway at the Château de Laeken for a State Banquet. Members of the Belgian Royal Family, including the then-Duke of Brabant (now King Philippe) and Princess Mathilde, were also present at King Harald’s 70th Birthday Banquet in 2007, and later celebrated Queen Sonja’s 70th birthday that same year.

King Harald V

King Harald V has reigned since 1991 and is a member of the House of Glücksburg. He was born on February 21, 1937, as the third child and only son of King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He is also a skilled sportsman, having represented Norway in sailing at the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic Games.

Looking Ahead

This state visit signifies the continued importance of the relationship between Belgium and Norway, and the enduring bonds within the European royal families. It provides an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties and celebrate the shared history and kinship between the two nations.