State Visit #18: Norway

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde are on a state visit to Norway from 24 March 2026 to 26 March 2026.

The state visit comes at a peculiar time in the history of the Norwegian monarchy. The past months Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her son from a previous relationship have been under heavy scrutiny and criticism. While the crown princess's special friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and her discontent about royal life were exposed in hundreds of emails, her son Marius Borg Højby is currently standing trial for multiple cases of rape, drug use and violence against women. He faces up to seven years in jail. Both Crown Prince Haakon and his daughter, Princess Ingrid have publicly taken Marius Borg's side without mentioning his victims. 

In a statement the Norwegian Royal House has announced Mette-Marit won't be taking part in the state visit because of the worsening state of her health. The crown princess is suffering from lung fibrosis and may be in need of a lung transplant. 

Also Princess Astrid (92), King Harald's sister, is absent from the visit. She's recovering from a minor illness. 

Tuesday 24 March 2026

Departure from Melsbroek airport.

Arrival in Oslo.

Official welcoming ceremony at the Palace Square.

In a surprise announcement it was made clear that Mette-Marit would be present for the official welcome after all.

Wreath-laying ceremony at the National Monument, Akershus Fortress.

Meeting with the President of the Storting.

The King and Queen visited the Gol Stave Church. Built around 1200, it was moved from its original site to Oslo in the 19th century to ensure its preservation. Its unique Scandinavian architecture, blending Christian symbols with Viking motifs, beautifully showcases Norway’s cultural heritage.

Gala dinner at the Royal Palace.

Wednesday 25 March 2026

Event at the Nobel Peace Center

Business seminar on offshore wind energy 

Meeting with the Prime Minister

Government lunch at Akershus Palace

Event on childhood and literacy

Reception hosted by the Belgian Royals at the National Museum

Thursday 26 March 2026

Crown Prince Haakon will accompany the Belgian Royals during a day visit to Stavanger.

Event on energy security at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum

Luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Stavanger
Program on defense cooperation at the Sola Air Station

Book: Philippe, Mathilde et Elisabeth

One of the first books to appear on Mathilde was "Philippe, Mathilde et Elisabeth" written by Anne Quevrin, who presented the weekly royalty show "Place Royale" on RTL, a popular TV show on Saturday night.  

The book was published at the end of 2001, right after Philippe & Mathilde's first child, Princess Elisabeth was born. The book was a large summary of Mathilde and Philippe's bios and their activities ever since the engagement. Even though it promised anecdotes and witness accounts it did nothing of the sort. 

Ten Years After the Brussels Terror Attacks

22 March 2026

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde took part in the remembrance ceremonies for the victims of the Brussels terror attacks that took place ten years ago, on 22 March 2016.

Philippe & Mathilde were present at the departures hall of Brussels airport and at metro station Maelbeek, the two sites where bombs exploded.

At Maelbeek.

Afterwards they also visited the monument for the victims at the Rue de la loi, near the Park of the Cinquantenaire.

King Philippe's speech at the memorial was an especially poignant one, in four languages. His message in English, Dutch, French and German at the end beautifully underlined the essence of what his kingship has been so far.

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/kijk/2026/03/22/video-koning-filip-wat-ons-uit-elkaar-moest-drijven-heeft-ons/

video: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/kijk/2026/03/22/-we-staan-samen-in-verdriet-maar-ook-in-verbondenheid-zo-verl/