Yesterday, on the occasion of VE Day which marks Allied victory in World War II, King Harald V of Norway held a powerful speech – and it is getting unusually much attention.
King Harald held this speech in Trandumskogen, often referred to as "The Death Forest". This is where soldiers of Nazi G…
Yesterday, on the occasion of VE Day which marks Allied victory in World War II, King Harald V of Norway held a powerful speech – and it is getting unusually much attention.
King Harald held this speech in Trandumskogen, often referred to as "The Death Forest". This is where soldiers of Nazi Germany, who were occupying Norway, executed 194 resistance fighters and buried them in mass graves.
Here is part of the King’s speech, including words that are widely seen as addressed to Trump:
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"Today we celebrate 80 years since the jubilant day in our country's history: the liberation from occupation on May 8, 1945. But it was not a day of joy for everyone. The war continued to cast long shadows over the lives of innocent people: Jews, queers, Roma… Survivors who had lost loved ones. For some, the war never ended.
"What is worth fighting for today? When we talk about protecting our freedom and values, what does that really mean?
"In the world, it means, among other things, showing mutual respect for national borders. That we respect international laws and rules. That we can cooperate and trust each other within a community of allied states.
"In Norway, it means having a democratic government where the majority recognizes that one of their most important tasks is to take care of the minority. Where no one is above the law, and where all people are of equal value.
"In our local environment, in our everyday lives, we protect our values by avoiding spreading lies, but by speaking the truth. By taking responsibility for our own mistakes and actions. By caring and being kind to each other. By not only being concerned with protecting ourselves, but also taking care of others around us."
I always thought the British custom very strange. The idea of someone else putting words in the mouth of the King? Or Queen?? Beyond bizarre!
No, King Harald of Norway chooses what he wants to say and how to say it, although I am sure he has good help from his staff.
(On a side note, dyslexia runs in the family; his father King Olav, and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, are both afflicted, although I don’t think the present King is.)
LOUD MESSAGE FROM THE KING OF NORWAY ON VE DAY
Yesterday, on the occasion of VE Day which marks Allied victory in World War II, King Harald V of Norway held a powerful speech – and it is getting unusually much attention.
King Harald held this speech in Trandumskogen, often referred to as "The Death Forest". This is where soldiers of Nazi Germany, who were occupying Norway, executed 194 resistance fighters and buried them in mass graves.
Here is part of the King’s speech, including words that are widely seen as addressed to Trump:
.
"Today we celebrate 80 years since the jubilant day in our country's history: the liberation from occupation on May 8, 1945. But it was not a day of joy for everyone. The war continued to cast long shadows over the lives of innocent people: Jews, queers, Roma… Survivors who had lost loved ones. For some, the war never ended.
"What is worth fighting for today? When we talk about protecting our freedom and values, what does that really mean?
"In the world, it means, among other things, showing mutual respect for national borders. That we respect international laws and rules. That we can cooperate and trust each other within a community of allied states.
"In Norway, it means having a democratic government where the majority recognizes that one of their most important tasks is to take care of the minority. Where no one is above the law, and where all people are of equal value.
"In our local environment, in our everyday lives, we protect our values by avoiding spreading lies, but by speaking the truth. By taking responsibility for our own mistakes and actions. By caring and being kind to each other. By not only being concerned with protecting ourselves, but also taking care of others around us."
https://www-nrk-no.translate.goog/norge/kong-harald_-_-vi-ma-tale-a-se-urett-som-er-begatt-1.17408494?_x_tr_sl=no&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Do the Norwegian king's speeches get written by the PM, as in the UK?
I always thought the British custom very strange. The idea of someone else putting words in the mouth of the King? Or Queen?? Beyond bizarre!
No, King Harald of Norway chooses what he wants to say and how to say it, although I am sure he has good help from his staff.
(On a side note, dyslexia runs in the family; his father King Olav, and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, are both afflicted, although I don’t think the present King is.)
I understand the British custom. It continues a custom of royalty but continually establishes that actual supremacy of Parliament.