Norwegian royal family appears on 17 May parade; Crown Princess Mette‑Marit uses oxygen support
On Norway’s Constitution Day, 17 May, the royal family welcomed the children’s parade from the palace balcony in Oslo and from Skaugum. King Harald and Queen Sonja waved to the crowd while Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, who suffers from lung fibrosis, attended with an oxygen catheter, a breathing‑assist device and a chair.
Prince Sverre Magnus, 20, helped his mother onto the balcony and has increasingly taken on solo royal duties, such as planting a tree at the Blaafarveværket museum anniversary and representing the monarchy at official events. Princess Ingrid Alexandra celebrated the day from Sydney, while the rest of the family remained on the Norwegian side of the festivities.
The appearances highlighted the royal family’s commitment to public celebrations despite the Crown Princess’s health challenges and the growing responsibilities of the younger prince.