The 163rd Storting is open
Today, His Majesty The King opened the 163rd Norwegian Storting (Parliament). It is 29th time King Harald has delivered the Speech from the Throne during this solemn ceremony.
The opening of the Storting in October every year constitutes an important part of His Majesty's constitutional role. This is ordinarily the only time during the year that King, Government, Storting and Supreme Court is gathered.
Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon accompanied King Harald at the ceremony.
The Speech from the Throne
Prime Minister Erna Solberg handed the Speech from the Throne to His Majesty. The speech presents the main features of the Government’s policies for the coming year, and is written by representatives of the Government, not by the King
King Harald reads the Speech from the Throne. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix
The Speech from the Throne was followed by the Report on the State of the Realm. Traditionally read by the youngest member of the Government, the report presents a summary of what the Government has achieved during the past year.
The seremony concluded with the National Anthem, Ja vi elsker.
Everyone stands during the ceremony. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix
The Constitution
The ceremony is stipulated in Article 74 of the Constitution:
As soon as the Storting is constituted, the King, or whoever he appoints for the purpose, shall open its proceedings with a Speech, in which he shall inform it of the state of the Realm and of the issues to which he particularly desires to call the attention of the Storting. No deliberations may take place in the presence of the King.
Tomorrow, the Storting will deliberate on core issues from the speech, as no deliberations may take place in the presence of the King.
Traditions
King Harald has opened the Storting 29 times. The first time was in 1990 as Crown Prince Regent during the illness of his father, King Olav.
Crown Prince Harald arrive to open the Storting for the first time. Photo: Tor Richardsen
King Haakon VII opened his first Storting as King of Norway 22 October 1906. Except for the war years, King Haakon opened every Storting until 1955. In 1956 and 1957 Crown Prince Olav opened the Storting during King Haakon's illness.
King Haakon reads the Speech from the Throne in 1947. Photo: NTB / Scanpix
During the union
During the years 1814-1905 when Norway was the lesser part of a union with Sweden, the Storting was many times opened by the Stattholder - The King's representative in Norway.
Between 1815 and 1905 The King opened the Storting 23 times, and the Crown Prince Regent on five occasions.
King Oscar I was the first to conduct the Speech from the Throne in Norwegian. This took place on 10 February 1845, and the speech has been given in Norwegian ever since.
Current news
The Royal Court has submitted its annual report for 2023
The activities of the Royal House of Norway over the course of the year are closely aligned with the current situation in the country. The visits by the members of the Royal Family to 47 municipalities, official visits to five European countries, participation in a wide array of events together with the Norwegian Armed Forces and a focus on national security and preparedness both show what is essential for Norway and demonstrate the commitment of the Royal Family.
State visit from Tanzania
Her Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, began a state visit to Norway today. Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja are the hosts of the visit, and welcomed the President to Norway in a formal ceremony at the Royal Palace.