Formal audiences
All new ambassadors to Norway present their credentials to His Majesty The King at a formal audience.
Ambassadors are envoys of their head of state and are tasked with representing the country. When a new ambassador arrives in Norway, he or she is received by His Majesty The King in a formal audience. The ambassadors come to present their credentials —the letter that introduces the ambassador and the mission. When the King has accepted the credentials, the ambassadors are formally accredited to Norway and can begin their important work.
A solemn occasion
The audience is a meeting between two countries and a highly solemn occasion. The new ambassador is collected and driven to the Royal Palace in one of the Court's cars. They drive slowly up to the front of the Royal Palace, where soldiers from His Majesty the King’s Guard are drawn up. A fanfare is sounded upon the ambassador’s arrival.
The ambassador is escorted to the Palace’s upper vestibule, where he or she is greeted by the Lord Chamberlain. The double doors to the Bird Room are thrown open, and the ambassador is presented to members of the Royal Court's senior management and military staff.
At the appointed time, the Lord Chamberlain enters the King’s office and announces that the ambassador has arrived to present his or her credentials. After a photographer has recorded the meeting between the King and the ambassador, the two continue their conversation in private, unless an interpreter is required.
From all corners of the world
King Harald grants ambassadors from around the world audience at his office – normally between 25 and 35 each year.
In 2024 King Harald received Letters of Credence from 24 ambassadors. They represented Mongolia, Kenya, Jamaica, Burundi, Russia, Botswana, Albania, Suriname, Ghana, the Netherlands, Brazil, Estonia, Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Thailand, Costa Rica, Sweden, Argentina, Zambia, Oman, Qatar and Egypt.
In addition, the Crown Prince Regent received three ambassadors representing Armenia, Japan and Mexico.
Invitations to the diplomatic corps
It is traditional for Their Majesties The King and Queen to invite groups of newly appointed diplomats to an official luncheon at the Royal Palace. Ambassadors may also attend a so-called farewell audience when their mission has come to an end. In addition, the entire diplomatic corps is at regular intervals invited to dinners or receptions at the Royal Palace, at Oscarshall summer palace or on board the Royal Yacht Norge.
Other audiences
The King receives visiting heads of state and presidents of parliament, sometimes accompanied by other members of the Royal House. It is also traditional for the year’s winners of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Abel Prize to be received in audience.
The word ”audience” comes from the Latin word audio “to hear” and means “chance to be heard”.
The Royals receive many people in audience during the course of a year. Most of the individuals who are granted audience wish to offer information about a specific issue or the work of an organisation, or to express their gratitude for the bestowal of an order or medal.
The King also holds regular audiences with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of the various branches of the Armed Forces.
Audience means “a chance to be heard”.
