Sverre Magnus turns 18
Norwegians are already celebrating the prince’s 18th birthday
Back from left: Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Prince Sverre Magnus, Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Front: Queen Sonja, King Harald V and Marit Tjessem.
© Heiko Junge / NTB
Prince Sverre Magnus celebrates his 18th birthday two days early – party, gifts and a speech from Queen Sonja included.
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, Prince Sverre Magnus (17) of Norway will come of age. The celebrations for the third in line to the Norwegian throne started this Friday.
Queen Sonja (86) and King Harald (86) of Norway hosted an official lunch for their grandson in Oslo Castle on December 1st. In addition to the family, representatives of official Norwegian organizations and youth organizations were also invited, as the royal family announced.
The royal family’s official website also reveals the menu: The menu included halibut, beef brisket and vanilla-lime mousse with mango sorbet.
Queen Sonja gives a speech for her grandson
Queen Sonja of Norway also gave a speech for her grandson on the occasion. In it she told him and those present: “The most important thing is to be sure of yourself and to listen to your own voice.” She further emphasized, also directed at other people his age: “The ability to empathize with other people’s situations and to be a good friend is much more important than being ‘good’ at things.”
To mark the birthday, King Harald of Norway also appointed Prince Sverre Magnus Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. For this, the prince received a jubilee medal. The award was presented at a private ceremony at the Royal Palace.
Family photo in Norwegian national costume
Another early gift was a national costume in cream, black and green with a high collar and embellishments, which Prince Sverre wore for the first time in photos released Friday. In the family pictures, which were shared on Instagram, among other places, most of the royal family – Crown Prince Haakon (50), Crown Princess Mette-Marit (50), her mother Marit Tjessem (86), Princess Ingrid Alexandra (19) and Queen Sonja – also wear the traditional Norwegian costume. Only King Harald V poses in a classic dark suit.