State Visit from Canada
On Tuesday Their Majesties The King and Queen welcomed Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, and her husband, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, to Norway.
Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess also took part in the official reception on the Palace Square.
Following the ceremony, the Governor General paid a visit to the Storting, where she met with the Vice President of the Storting.
Wreath-laying ceremonies
Accompanied by King Harald and Queen Sonja, Governor General Jean and Mr Lafond laid several wreaths, first at the national monument at Akershus Fortress and then at the Canadian wartime gravesites at Vestre Gravlund.
In the afternoon Governor General Jean met with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Gala banquet
The King and Queen hosted a lunch for the Governor General and her party at 2 pm at the Royal Palace. In the evening a banquet was held at the Royal Palace in honour of the official visitors from Canada. In addition to The King and Queen, other members of the Royal Family in attendance were Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Astrid.
The State Visit will last from 28 to 30 April.
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Welcoming seremony
The Governor General of Canada is received on the Palace Square (Photo: Heiko Junge, Scanpix)Photo 1 of 9 -
Welcoming seremony
The Governor General of Canada and her husband are received on the Palace Square (Photo: Liv Osmundsen, The Royal Court)Photo 2 of 9 -
Inspection of the guard
His Majesty The King and Governor General Michaëlle Jean have inspected the King’s Guard (Photo: Liv Osmundsen, The Royal Court)Photo 3 of 9 -
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess in the Palace square during the welcoming seremony (Photo: Heiko Junge, Scanpix)Photo 4 of 9 -
Canadian colours
The Palace Square features the Canadian colours in honour of the State Visit. (Photo: Liv Osmundsen, The Royal Court)Photo 5 of 9 -
Canadian colours
Karl Johan street decorated for the State Visit from Canada. (Photo: Liv Osmundsen, The Royal Court)Photo 6 of 9 -
Gala banquet
Yhe King and the Governor General arrive at the gala banquet, followed by The Queen and Mr Lafond (Photo: Bjørn Sigurdsøn, Scanpix)Photo 7 of 9 -
Gala banquet
The Crown Prince, Crown Princess and Princess Astrid Mrs Ferner on their way to the gala banquet (Photo: Bjørn Sigurdsøn, Scanpix)Photo 8 of 9 -
Speech
His Majesty The King speaks at the gala banquet (Photo: Bjørn Sigurdsøn, Scanpix)Photo 9 of 9
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