Celebration of 17 May 2008
At 10:30 a.m. on May 17, the Royal Family took its place on the Palace balcony to receive the traditional Constitution Day Children’s Parade in Oslo.
Prior to arriving at the Palace, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess greeted the local children’s parade from their official residence, Skaugum, in Asker municipality.
Schools from all over the Oslo area take part in the parade. A total of 112 schools participated in the 2008 parade.
The first Constitution Day children’s parade was held in Oslo on 17 May 1870, at the initiative of Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, a prominent Norwegian author and public figure. The tradition of standing on the Palace balcony to greet the parade was introduced by King Haakon in 1906. The Royal Family has continued this tradition every year since, with the exception of in 1910, when the family was in England for the funeral of Queen Maud’s father, King Edward VII, and during WWII from 1940 to 1945.
Visit to Vestre Aker urban district
In another tradition, the King and Queen pay a visit to one of the Oslo urban districts after the parade has been concluded. In 2008, King Harald and Queen Sonja visited the district of Vestre Aker.
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17 May 2008: Children's parade
The Children's parade walking down Karl Johan street, towards the Royal Palace (Photo: Cornelius Poppe, Scanpix)Photo 1 of 8 -
17 May 2008: On the Palace balcony
The Royal Family greeting the Children's parade from the Palace balcony (Photo: Cornelius Poppe, Canpix)Photo 2 of 8 -
17 May 2008: On the Palace balcony
King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Palace balcony (Photo: Cornelius Poppe, Scanpix)Photo 3 of 8 -
17 May 2008: On the Palace balcony
Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra on the palace balcony (Photo: Cornelius Poppe, Scanpix)Photo 4 of 8 -
17 May 2008: Skaugum
Greeting the Children's parade in Asker at Skaugum estate (Photo: Cornelius Poppe, Scanpix)Photo 5 of 8 -
17 May 2008: Skaugum
Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra at Skaugum estate (Photo: Cornelius Poppe, Scanpix)Photo 6 of 8 -
Vestre Aker urban district
King Harald and Queen Sonja travelled by coach during their visit to the district of Vestre Aker (Photo Terje Bendiksby, Scanpix)Photo 7 of 8 -
Vestre Aker urban district
King Harald and Queen Sonja visiting the district of Vestre Aker (Photo Terje Bendiksby, Scanpix)Photo 8 of 8
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