The Royal 2016: King Harald's Silver Jubilee

King Harald V and Queen Sonja ofNorway at the end of their Jubilee celebrations in January

(photo kongehuset.no)

The old year is winding to an end, getting ready for one final party and then heading off to leave us all with the memories. And what memories they have been. There's little doubt that 2016 has made its mark in the history books and there have been plenty of royal highlights along the way. Throughout December, we'll look back at some of the big moments that have made royal headlines in 2016 starting with a major royal event at the very beginning of the year - King Harald and Queen Sonja's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

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King Harald and Queen Sonja marked 25 years on the throne on January 17th 2016

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They began the Jubilee with a service of thanksgiving for their reign which also remembered King Olav V, Harald's father whose death on January 17th 1991 was mourned by many across Norway.

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They were joined at their celebrations by the Queen of Denmark and the King and Queen of Sweden as days of events unfolded to mark their 25 years on the throne.

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The main event was a snow themed party in the parks around the Royal Palace which saw the family join in winter sports with thousands who had turned out to celebrate with them.

There was an album of official photos featuring Harald, Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra.

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Their popularity ratings soared, one survey had it at over 90%, while the crowds of wellwishers who stood in the snow to cheer them just got bigger and bigger. It's a major royal highlight of the year - the Jubilee celebrations of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway.