State visit from Belgium
Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja welcomed Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Belgians to Norway during a welcoming ceremony at the Palace Square today.
March 24, 2026
The visit marks the close and strong relationship between Norway and Belgium.
Belgium is an important partner and a close ally. Norway and Belgium enjoy strong cooperation in areas including energy, business, defence, and culture. The visit underscores the importance of unity among democracies at a time when the geopolitical situation is challenging our shared values.
The formal welcome ceremony began at the Palace Square, where the national anthems of both countries were played, and The King of the Belgians, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon, inspected a guard of honour from the King’s Guard.
Inside the Royal Palace, the ceremony continued with a tête-à-tête and an official photo session in the Bird Room. Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess was also in attendance.
Wreath-laying Ceremony
The Crown Prince accompanied the Belgian royal couple to Akershus Fortress, where the King of the Belgians laid a wreath at Norway’s national monument. It is customary for visiting heads of state to pay this tribute to the Norwegian fallen of the Second World War.
Following the ceremony at Akershus Fortress, The King and Queen will host an official luncheon at the Royal Palace in honour of the state visit from Belgium.
Gala dinner
This evening, a gala dinner will be held at the Royal Palace in honour of the visit. The King and Queen and The Crown Prince will attend together with the Belgian royal couple.
The guest list includes representatives from official Norway, as well as guests from Norwegian and Belgian public life, business, and the cultural sector.
Programme in Oslo and Stavanger
The state visit from Belgium will continue in Oslo tomorrow. The programme includes an event at the Nobel Peace Center focusing on the defence of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, as well as a business seminar on offshore wind at the Opera House. The Government will host a luncheon at Akershus Castle, and The Queen and The Crown Prince will join The King and Queen of the Belgians at an event on children and literacy at Deichman Bjørvika. In the evening, The King and Queen of the Belgians will host a reception at the National Museum.
On Thursday 26 March, The Crown Prince will accompany The King and Queen of the Belgians to Stavanger, where the programme will include business and defence cooperation.