Annual Report 2011

The annual report provides an overview of the official programme carried out by the Royal Family and presents the Royal Court and its activities. It also contains the accounts for the Civil List, the staff of Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and the Section for Culture. The accounts for the Civil List showed a surplus of NOK 11 046 053.

The tragic events on Utøya Island and the executive government quarter in Oslo on 22 July 2011 had a major impact on the activities of the Royal Family, who gave priority to being present for those affected and to helping to ensure that the Norwegian people remained firmly united during a difficult period.

In 2011, His Majesty The King granted 103 audiences and conducted 28 formal audiences. During 2011, His Majesty The King attended 204 official events in Norway and abroad, while Her Majesty The Queen attended 99 official events, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince attended 183 official events and Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess attended 63 official events.

The Royal Family visited 42 municipalities in Norway, and paid 23 visits abroad. The King and Queen carried out their annual county visit in Troms County in June, while the Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited Hedmark County in August.

The King and Queen conducted a State Visit to Slovenia and Croatia in May and paid a visit to the American Midwest and New York, while the Crown Prince and Crown Princess travelled to Ghana for a State Visit in April.

A report on the use of the funds allocated to the Royal Court (the Civil List) and the staff of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess (official budget) by the Storting is submitted annually. The allowances provided to the King and Queen and to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, respectively, are meant to cover the management, operation, maintenance and development of the private properties, as well as official attire and private expenses.

The accounts for the Civil List showed a surplus of NOK 11 046 053. The explanation for this surplus is complex. One-third of the surplus is due to the special allocation in 2011 of funding for preservation measures at the Royal Lodge Kongeseteren, which will be carried out over a period of several years. The remainder is related to a variety of factors, including one-time revenues from the sale of motor vehicles in connection with a transition to leasing, delays in several small framework projects and lower electricity expenses resulting from the mild early winter months. The portion of the surplus not tied to ongoing projects will be used for prioritised purposes, such as essential improvements in the Palace Park.

The accounts for the staff of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess showed a surplus of NOK 1 174 102. This surplus has been set aside for future procurements.

The accounts for the Section for Culture showed a deficit of NOK 172 514. Part of this deficit will be covered through the Section’s own capital and the remainder will be listed as a loss carried forward. The Civil List will supply the Section for Culture with adequate liquidity for its future operations.

As the Norwegian State does not provide a residence to the Crown Prince and his family, funds for the management, operation, maintenance and development of the main building on Skaugum Estate are incorporated into the annual allowance.

The allowance for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess comprised a total of NOK 7 771 000. Of this amount, NOK 3 991 000 was used or put aside for property management, operation, maintenance and development purposes as well as household expenses and grounds maintenance. NOK 2 000 000 went to principle and interest on loans in connection with the restoration project from 2002 - 2004, and NOK 1 780 000 was used for private purposes, including the purchase of official attire.