The Royal Household

The department is responsible for the daily operations of the Royal Palace and Skaugum (the residence of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess) – as well as the other royal estates when the Royal Family stays there. The staff also assists with food and service on the Royal Yacht.

The Household assists the Royal Family during travels both domestically and abroad, and is responsible for small and large event hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen or Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess. The department also assists Her Highness Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, in connection with her official duties.

The department is divided into the Kitchen section, the Steward Section and Housekeeping Section. The private staff of the King and Queen, as well as the staff at Skaugum, are also affiliated with the Royal Household.

The Steward Section

The Steward Section is responsible for food and beverage service at receptions, lunches, and dinners at the Palace, Skaugum, and other royal estates. The section provides service functions at the royal offices, during meetings and audiences, and is responsible for the Palace's wine cellar and silver chamber. The section is also responsible for His Majesty the King's chamber service.

The Steward Section is responsible for serving on large and small events. A gala dinner at the Royal Palace can seat 220 people. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB

The Housekeeping Section

The main task of the Housekeeping Section is to maintain order at the royal estates. The section performs extensive cleaning, and the large number of old and valuable items on the estates requires high expertise in antique cleaning.

The Palace has its own laundry. Here, everything from clothes, napkins, and bed linens to uniforms and gala tablecloths are washed, rolled, and ironed. Photo: Mona Nordøy.

The section prepares for, carries out, and cleans up after both small and large events, ranging from simple meetings to gala dinners and state visits. Staff assist with making beds, setting and decorating tables, and staffing the wardrobe.  

The florists are responsible for decorating the tables and reception rooms with flowers in connection with banquets, official luncheons and other larger functions.

The Kitchen Section 

The Kitchen Section is responsible for preparing food for the King and Queen's and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess's official and private activities. The section also operates the Palace's canteen and prepares meeting room catering.

The Palace kitchen emphasizes Norwegian culinary traditions and local ingredients, using, among other things, vegetables from the kitchen garden at Bygdø Royal Farm. Quality, health, and innovation are the hallmarks of the production.

The Kitchen Section is responsible for preparing all food at the Royal Court. Photo: Mona Nordøy.

For larger events, such as gala dinners with up to 225 people at the table, external help is brought in. In some cases, local labor is used. An apprentice in culinary arts is also affiliated with the section.

The private staffs

The private staffs of the The King and Queen and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess assist with the arrangement of official and private needs and tasks. This includes managing the private estates, program coordination, secretarial services, chamber service, sewing, and wardrobe management.

The Royal Household is led by Mr Lars Christian Krog.