The Royal Wedding in 2001
His Royal Highness Prince Haakon and Miss Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby were married in Oslo Cathedral on 25 August 2001. And Norway gained a new Crown Princess.
The engagement between Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby was announced on 1 December 2000. At 5:00 p.m. on 25 August the following year, the wedding took place.
The wedding ceremony
Over 800 wedding guests gathered at Oslo Cathedral. The Crown Prince and soon-to-be Crown Princess walked together down the aisle to the sound of Nils Henrik Aasheim's bridal march and took their places at the front.
Linda Tånevik was the Crown Princess’s maid of honour, while Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark served as Crown Prince Haakon’s best man. Marius Borg Høiby was the page boy, and Miss Betina and Miss Emilie Swanstrøm, Miss Kamilla and Miss Anniken Bjørnøy and Miss Tuva Høiby were the bridesmaids.
The ceremony
Bishop Gunnar Stålsett officiated at the wedding and spoke of love, drawing from 1 Corinthians: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
"Today, these beautiful words from the Bible are yours. They provide direction for the life you will share together, a life guided by faith, hope, and love," said the bishop.
Music during the ceremony
The following music was performed during the ceremony:
- Bridal March. Composer: Nils Henrik Aasheim
- Versicle for choir and organ, composed by Trond Kverno
- Mitt hjerte alltid vanker, performed by Mari Boine
- Herre over alle slekter. Text: Roald Fangen. Melody: Terje Kvam
- Processional: Old Bridal March from Nord-Gudbrandsdal. Performed and arranged for saxophone by Jan Garbarek, with organ arrangement by Kåre Nordstoga.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s bridal gown
Bridal gown
The gown was of thick silk crêpe and soft silk tulle, custom-dyed ecru. The fabric at the waist is draped, but the outer layer is stretched so that the surface becomes almost smooth. The skirt was flared with a two-metre-long train, inspired by the gowns of Queen Maud. In total, the dress is draped with 125 metres of silk tulle. The lower part of the dress is constructed from silk georgette, organza, and gazar, a slightly stiff but flexible fabric. A large tulle underskirt adds further volume.
A six-metre-long veil was attached to the Crown Princess’s hair. The Crown Princess wore a tiara made in 1910, which was a gift from Their Majesties The King and Queen.
The bridal bouquet was carried as a muff around the wrist. It was composed of marble lantern, wanda orchids, hydrangeas, roses in shades of pink and purple, beargrass, pearls, and threads of metal.
Wedding banquet
Members of the European Royal Houses attended the wedding banquet at the Palace, along with Norwegian officials, representatives of organisations, family and friends.
His Majesty The King and the bride’s mother, Marit Tjessem, spoke during the dinner, in addition to Crown Prince Haakon. King Harald warmly welcomed Crown Princess Mette-Marit into the family and described Norway's new Crown Princess in the following way:
“On several occasions I have read that you are an ordinary young woman who has become Norway's Crown Princess today. This does not fit with my own impression. You are not an ordinary young woman. You are an extraordinary young woman.
You are extraordinarily open and honest.
You are extraordinarily committed.
You have extraordinary determination.
You have extraordinary courage.
Today you have made an extraordinary choice.
You are in love with Haakon to an extraordinary extent.
And today you have chosen to embark on an extraordinary life.”
Royal wedding
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