Crown Prince Haakon of Norway made Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby his wife this afternoon – and not even a grey, drizzly day could put a dampener on the proceedings.
The heir to the Norwegian throne looked handsome in his dress military uniform as he waited outside the Domkirke cathedral for his bride to appear. Inside the cathedral, some 800 distinguished guests were there to see the couple make it official.
Mette-Marit’s arrival drew gasps of excitement from the onlookers, some of whom had waited overnight to see the royal celebration. And the Crown Princess-to-be did not disappoint.
She was partly responsible for the design of the demure ecru gown in the softest silk crepe, with a corseted waist, flared skirt and two-metre train. A six-metre silk tulle veil fluttered from the back of her head, and her blonde hair was swept back and crowned by an antique tiara that was a present from her parents-in-law.
Seeing their son plight his troth to the girl who, he has said, “makes him stronger,” must have struck a chord with King Harald. There was a similar outcry when he announced that he was going to marry Sonja Haraldson, now his Queen.
The monarch and his wife had urged Haakon not to endure a nine-year courtship, as they had before their wedding, 33 years ago. And when they saw their only son shed tears of joy just moments before he said: “I do” to his beautiful bride, they could not fail to be touched.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
