Happy Constitution Day!

First came the Armed Forces' staff music, the May 17 committee and representatives of the city's political and administrative leadership. They stopped in front of the Palace Balcony where they led all present in the Royal anthem and the Norwegian National Anthem. Then thousands of children poured into the square.

The Children's parade heading up Karl Johan's street to greet the King and the Royal Family from the Palace square. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB

Approximately 120 schools took part this year, and it was the schools Hovseter, Østmarka and Sedsvoll that had the honor heading the parade. It is always schools that celebrate anniversaries that lead the way, and these three turn 50 and 100 respectively this year.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra is currently serving in the Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord and so was in uniform on the balcony this year. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB 

 Prince Sverre Magnus is "russ" this year, and celebrates the day with his classmates.

Started in Asker

True to tradition, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra began today's programme by greeting the Children's parade in Asker outside Skaugum.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra greeted the Children's parade outside their home, Skaugum, early this morning. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB

Crown Princess Mette-Marit with the family dog, Molly Fiskebolle. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB

Tradition

It was King Haakon and Queen Maud who introduced the custom of greeting the children’s parade from the Palace Balcony in 1906. The custom has been upheld ever since. The only exceptions were in 1910, when the Royal Family was in England for the funeral of Queen Maud’s father, King Edward VII, during World War II from 1940 to 1944, and during the corona pandemic from 2020-2021.

Celebrating 17 May in 1906. Photo: The Royal Collections