The Norwegians have been our staunch allies, not least in the Second World War, and the Out party in the EU Referendum will suggest we join them, outside the EU and outside the eurozone.
The Christmas tree, an annual gift from Norway, is a symbol of the strong ties between us. Another is a memorial stone in Hyde Park.
Our royal families are closely connected. In 1905 Norway voted to dissolve its union with Sweden. Prince Carl of Denmark accepted the throne of Norway and took the name King Haakon VII.
In 1896 he had married Maud, the youngest daughter of King Edward VII (his first cousin). Her wedding present from her father was Appleton House on the Sandringham estate which she visited annually, even after becoming Dronning (Queen) Maud. She died there of heart failure in 1938. The house, forgotten for three-quarters of a century, is now familiar as the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Queen Maud’s grandson, King Harald V is the present King of Norway, pictured above with Queen Sonja. There are portraits of the Royal Family in the Harald V Room in the In and Out Club on St. James’s Square.
The people of Norway have a strong moral compass, and a laudable independence of spirit. Their government twice wanted them to join Europe (in1972 and 1994) and in both referenda they refused.
We are apt to trumpet our Special Relationship with the United States. Our Special Relationship with Norway runs deeper.
Loved this piece. The V and A had an excellent exhibition of (some of) Queen Maud’s clothes some years ago, and I see the King Harald room from time to time. I feel that I should point out, however, that Anmer Hall is the Cambridge’s residence. Appleton House was demolished in the 1980s.
Thank you for spotting my blunder. “A” is for Anmer, Appleton and Accuracy, something I Aim for but missed this time.