The Crown Prince opened “The King’s Cars”

On 11 February, the doors opened for “The King’s Cars: Automobiles over four generations”, presenting iconic vehicles in the Royal Family’s fleet from 1913 to today. The Crown Prince took members of the press and invited guests through the exhibition on its opening day.

Crown Prince Haakon presenting the exhibition “The King’s Cars”. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB.

The exhibition tells a story of technological advancement, innovation, electric cars and design.

“This is probably the first car our family ever owned – in Norway,” said Crown Prince Haakon, pointing to a yellow Baby Cadillac from 1912.

The toy car was a gift from Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom to her grandson, Crown Prince Olav. It had a top speed of 20 km/h and a range of 25 km. If the toy version counts, then the Royal Family’s very first car was, in fact, an electric car.

Crown Prince Olav in his electric Baby Cadillac at Bygdø Royal Farm. Photo: The Royal Court Photo Archive.

King Haakon’s 1913 Minerva is considered the Royal Family’s first car, and is normally on display at the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology along with the Baby Cadillac.

Highlights on display this spring in the Queen Sonja Art Stable include: The 1966 A-5 Lincoln Continental convertible (“the wedding car”), the treasured 1942 Packard One Eighty purchased during the war and in active service well into the 2000s, and the 1939 A-1 Buick Roadmaster, perhaps the Royal Family’s best-known car. Its licence plate A-1 is forever linked to peace, freedom and the King’s homecoming after WWII on 7 June 1945.

Crown Prince Haakon took the guests through the exhibition “The King’s Cars”. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB.

Historic film footage and photographs chronicle meetings between the monarchs and the people, capturing major events in which the vehicles on display played a key role.

With A-1 in the lead, the Royal procession makes its way along Torggata in connection with King Haakon’s homecoming on 7 June 1945. Photo: NTB.

The exhibition is on display until 15 May.