Queen Sonja travels to Spain for first official overseas trip since husband’s death
Queen Sonja of Norway has travelled to Spain for her first official overseas trip since husband King Harald’s death. The monarch died almost two months ago, just shy of the couples 58th wedding anniversary.
The royal, 89, was in the country for a brief two-day trip which included a visit to Málaga where she delivered a speech at the opening of the Munch-Picasso exhibition at the Picasso Museum.
Queen Sonja gives a speech during the opening of the Munch-Picasso exhibition at the Picasso Museum. Getty
During the speech she shared her condolences following the recent tragic train crash in Toledo, which claimed at least 69 lives.
The following day, on October 30, she visited the Norwegian School Málaga in Arroyo de la Miel, wearing a bright coral-pink trouser suit with a colourful patterned scarf.
Queen Sonja was presented with flowers by students who met her at the school gates and was later treated to a performance.
King Harald V died aged 89 after being hospitalised for a rare blood condition called haemolytic anaemia. He was laid to rest at a state funeral that was held at the Oslo Cathedral on September 9.
Queen Sonja visited the coffin of her late husband, Harald V, inside the Royal Chapel in the days before his state funeral last month. Instagram/Norwegian Royal Court
The couple were married for 57 years, having wed in 1968. The Royal House of Norway
One month after the service, the royal returned to public duties when she visited the National Archives at Sognsvann in Oslo.
"Here, she was shown how condolences, letters, children's drawings, and other tokens of remembrance following King Harald's passing are being collected and preserved for posterity," the Royal Palace captioned photos from the outing last month.
Nearly two months after the death of her husband, Norway’s widowed queen was effectively demoted under sweeping changes to the monarchy meaning she can no longer be referred to as Her Majesty. This honour is reserved for the reigning king and queen.
Queen Sonja and King Harald’s eldest son – now King Haakon VIII – ascended the throne on August 28 upon his father’s death.
According to the new definition, members of the Royal House include just King Haakon VIII, his wife Queen Mette-Marit and their heir Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra who will one day make history by becoming Norway’s first queen regnant in 600 years.
King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit of Norway as seen on the revamped website for the Royal House following the death of King Harald V. The Royal House of Norway
“The Royal House includes the current monarch and their spouses and the next of kin in subsequent generations and their spouses,” the palace said in a statement issued overnight.
“The term royal family also includes the monarch’s other family.”
Haakon VIII was sworn in as Norway’s king with his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid, by his side. she will one day make history by becoming Norway’s first queen regnant in 600 years. Lise Aserud/Pool Photo via AP
Those who come under the term Royal Family include Queen Sonja − King Harald’s widow − the king and queen’s youngest son Prince Sverre Magnus and Haakon’s elder sister, Princess Märtha Louise.
Sverre Magnus, 20, is second-in-line to the throne, while Märtha Louise is third in the line of succession.
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