Plans for the May nuptials of Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her fiancé Ari Behn are well underway, with the couple selecting Trondheim’s historic Nidaros Cathedral for what promises to be an unforgettable ceremony. The 30-year-old bride will walk down the aisle on May 24, though the festivities will officially kick off on the 23rd.
Designing a royal wedding is no easy task, and the young lovers have employed a team of staff to ensure the celebrations go off without a hitch. Representatives from the Royal Palace, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Ministry, the city of Trondheim, the local police, Bishop Finn Wagle and Mayor Liv Sandven were all present at a recent planning meeting.
The 70-room Stiftsgarden, a royal property in Trondheim constructed in the late 18th century, will host the wedding reception. A royal residence since 1906, Stiftsgarden was the site of King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 60th birthday party in 1997.
Though the wedding is still four months away, the city has been positively abuzz since a tearful Martha Louise first announced her engagement in December. Trondheim’s two main hotels are booked solid for that weekend, with the couple’s fans eager to get their hands on one of 800 tickets which give access to the cathedral ceremony.
Controversial author Ari Behn, who recently attended the Oslo premiere of The Lord Of The Rings alongside his fiancée, has proved popular with the Norwegian public. He has just drawn fire for comments he made in a documentary film, however, criticising US policy. The programme on Afghan refugees aired on Wednesday night on Norway’s TV2.
“His remarks are problematic and unwise, not least because his role at the moment is unclear,” offered law professor Carl August Fleischer. “Remarks which now sow doubts about Norway’s official attitude are very unfortunate.”
Few would comment on the matter, though most agree his new role requires a bit of care and temperance. “It is evident that he is identified with the Norwegian royal house and he has greatly reduced his freedom to have opinions about domestic or foreign issues,” offers Conservative MP Inge Lonning.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
