This was the performance that Prince Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway, attended. The audience received the word at the beginning: stand when the Crown Prince enters and remain standing until he sits. At intermission, stand before the Crown Prince stands and remain standing until he leaves the theatre. Before the second act, stand. At end, stand. For an egalitarian community, this was kinda strange stuff. But, we all complied. I sort of wanted to say "have a safe trip" as he left at the end of the performance but stifled it.
Probably a good thing since we attended with my mother-in-law and a good friend -- both are Norwegian. (Barb's maiden name is Skurdalsvold and her mother's maiden name is Ness.)
There was this kind of nervous silence during the "standing" ... but some last-second applause for the Crown Prince when he left the theatre for good. We all sort of looked around at each other not sure if that was per protocol but gave a collective shrug and figured it was the right thing to do.
Turns out this is the centenary of Norway's independence from Sweden and the Crown Prince is visiting the US (and elsewhere) as part of the celebration. (See Norway Post article for more details.) The King and Queen of Norway will visit the UK to celebrate the centenary (gee I love that word).
Hmmm, wonder if the UK gets the top royalty because they have a Queen and we just get a Prince since we don't have royalty.
One last note. I have to confess I know far too little about Norway, Sweden etc. Here's some information that was news to me:
The Union between Norway and Sweden was established in 1814 following the Peace of Kiel which ended almost 400 years of Danish rule. The King of Sweden also became King of Norway. However, Norway established internal self-rule, based on its own constitution, adopted on 17 May 1814.
Towards the end of the 19th century the struggle for full independence intensified. On 7 June 1905, the Norwegian Storting (parliament) unilaterally decided no longer to recognise King Oscar II as King of Norway, thus dissolving the Union. A referendum overwhelmingly supported the decision taken by the Storting.
A period with tension building up in both countries followed. But through negotiations between Norwegian and Swedish representatives a mutually agreed formula for a peaceful ending of the union was reached in Karlstad (Sweden). On 26 October 1905 Sweden officially recognised Norway as an independent and separate state. The British government formally recognised Norway four days later, on 30 October 1905. The union between the two countries had lasted for 91 years.
A second referendum decided to establish a monarchy. Prince Carl of Denmark accepted the offer to become king and took on the Norwegian crown under the name of Haakon VII. He was married to Maud, daughter of King Edward VII. With their young son, Olav, the new royal family arrived in Norway on 25 November 1905.
From 100 Years of Independence
COUNTDOWN: 30 days; 13 hours to storage.
DRIVEN? Not today ... temperature was only in high 40's when I left this morning and needed three seats for the drive to Peer Gynt!
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