The Prince's 18th birthday
Prince Sverre Magnus turned 18 on 3 December 2023. On 1 December, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted a luncheon at the Royal Palace in honour of the occasion.
Queen Sonja carried Prince Sverre Magnus to his baptism in the Palace Chapel on 4 March 2005. Nearly 18 years later, she welcomed the guests – and her grandchild – to the celebratory luncheon. The Prince and other 18-year-olds were offered some words of advice:
“Magnus, I would like to say something important to you and to other 18-year-olds in our country today: It’s enough to be who you are. What counts is believing in yourself and listening to your own voice,” Queen Sonja stressed in her speech to to her grandson.
“The ability to empathise with others and be a good friend is far more important than being ‘clever’ at all sorts of things. I hope you will help to give other young people the comfort and security this understanding brings. Taking care of the people around us is a job for every one of us.”
Young guests on the guest list
The luncheon was held in the Small Ceremonial Hall at the Palace, and the roughly 70 guests enjoyed a meal of halibut, followed by beef brisket and then a vanilla and lime mousse with mango sorbet for dessert.
The guest list for the official luncheon included family members, godparents and representatives of the Norwegian authorities and youth organisations.
Figuring prominently on the guest list were the leaders of eight Norwegian youth organisations: Norwegian Rural Youth, the Youth Committee of the Sámi Reindeer Herders’ Association of Norway, the Norwegian Children and Youth Council), Red Cross Youth, the School Student Union of Norway, Young Friends of the Earth Norway, the Norwegian Trekking Association Youth and Queer Youth.
