More royal hellos for Dutch king and queen

The new king and queen of the Netherlands are continuing their 'pleased to meet you as a monarch' tour of Europe and the latest stop is Norway where they have been spending the day with the royal family and leading politicians. 

 

Two kings, two queens - Willem-Alexander and Maxima of the Netherlands and King Harald and Queen Sonia of Norway on October 2nd 2013 in Oslo

It's not the first time the new king and queen have met Harald since their accession but their last day together was much sadder.  The Norwegian king was godfather to Willem-Alexander's late brother, Friso, and attended the prince's funeral in August.  But today was a much happier occasion and began with a big hello at Oslo airport where they were greeted by the Crown Prince and Princess before heading off to the Royal Palace where they found King Harald and Queen Sonia just hanging about hoping they'd pop by.  They'd asked along some children from the Dutch school in Oslo to add to the welcome.

 

Willem-Alexander and Maxima are greeted by children from the Dutch school in Oslo on their arrival at the Royal Palace on their getting to know you visit

 

A quick photo session with the royals was followed by meetings with the Prime Minster, Jens Stoltenberg, and the president of the Norwegian parliament, Dag Terje Andersen.  And then it was back to the palace for lunch and a new order membership for Maxima who was presented with the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav by King Harald.  But there will be no jealous glances on the way home - Willem-Alexander received the same honour in 1996.

 

 

The Norwegian king and queen with their heirs and the king's sister, Princess Astrid, at their meeting with the Dutch king and queen on October 2nd 2013

 

Just one more trip to go for the new Dutch king and queen before their tour is over.  Their last stop will be Sweden on October 18th 2013.

Extreme royalty

A little bit of extreme sport seems to be a growing trend for Europe's royals at the moment.  Albert of Monaco might have decided petanque was the way to go after a lifetime of bobsleighing for Monaco but the heirs and the spares have started going a bit daredevil in recent months.  Latest member of the club is Princess Mary of Denmark who had a go at abseiling during her Home Guard training.

 

It might look like a smile of relief but this is Princess Mary of Denmark looking happy and excited before she began her abseil.

 

Hubby Frederik had already had a go at the Ironman Copenhagen competition in August which involved him swimming almost four kilometres, then hopping on his bike for a 180 km ride and finishing off with a 42 kilometer run.  It took him 10 hours and 45 minutes.  And just a few weeks later he was off to America to have a go on one of the boats in training for the America's Cup.  And then no doubt a bit of a lie down.

 

 

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the start of his participation in this years' Copenhagen Ironman competition

 

Across the bridge to Sweden and Prince Carl Philip has been indulging his love of fast cars this summer.  The prince has a racing licence from the Swedish Motor Sport Association and this year he got his own fast car tournament when he launched the Carl Philip Racing Cup for karting which is part of a competition to encourage young drivers to improve their skills. 

 

 

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden presenting the cup that bears his name for the first time - August 2013

 

But none of them come close to their Norwegian cousin, Crown Prince Haakon.  In surely one of the most bizarre announcements ever made by a royal household, Norway's court let everyone know in July this year that the heir to the throne had just arrived at his fortieth birthday party by parachute.  Normally, courtiers document audiences with ambassadors or the opening of events but every now and again you have to expect to issue information on a parachuting Crown Prince.  He's set the bar pretty high for other royals to follow.

 

 

Back on terra firma, the heir to the Norwegian throne at the start of his 40th birthday party