The Royal Family Welcomes Norway's World Cup Heroes at the Palace
Photo: NTB
After their historic World Cup run, the Norwegian national football team went straight from the airport to the Royal Palace, where King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus received the players. Tens of thousands turned out in central Oslo to celebrate the team.
On Monday evening, the Norwegian men's national football team was celebrated in Oslo after their historic World Cup run in the United States. The team landed at Gardermoen just after 7 pm and went straight to the Royal Palace, where King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus received the players in the Small Banqueting Hall. Captain Martin Odegaard led the team in, followed by head coach Stale Solbakken and football president Lise Klaveness.
Crown Prince Haakon, wearing a national team scarf, receives the players outside the Royal Palace. Photo: NTB
Captain Martin Odegaard led the way as the players greeted King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Photo: Amanda Pedersen Giske / NTB
"It is a joy to see you here at the Palace. We were thanked by the football president, but it is we who should be thanking you for what we have experienced," King Harald said during the reception.
King Harald in high spirits with the players during the reception at the Palace. Photo: NTB
King Harald invited the national team to the Palace after their World Cup adventure. Photo: Ola Vatn / The Royal Court
Team captain Martin Odegaard said the King told the players he was "glad to have us home again" and congratulated the team on their achievement. King Harald is said to have been moved as he greeted several members of the team staff.
Team captain Martin Odegaard during the reception at the Palace. Photo: NTB
An estimated 90,000 people gathered on and around the Palace Square to celebrate the team that took Norway to a World Cup quarter-final for the first time. Along the way, Norway beat Brazil among others in the knockout stage, before England proved too strong in the quarter-final, winning 2-1 after extra time.
The team gathered in front of the crowds on the Palace Square. Photo: NTB
After the reception, the players and the Crown Prince's family went out onto the Palace Square to meet the crowds. There the team performed the traditional "rowing" celebration that has followed their World Cup matches, and Crown Prince Haakon was given the honour of beating the rhythm on the drum. He revealed that he had "practised a little" beforehand. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland said it meant a great deal to have "written a bit of history" together with the supporters.
Crown Prince Haakon with the drumsticks ready in front of the crowds on the Palace Square. Photo: NTB
The team performing the traditional rowing celebration on the Palace Square. Photo: Anette Ask / The Royal Court
Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus taking part in the celebration on the Palace Square. Photo: Anette Ask / The Royal Court
Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus with national team scarves during the celebration. Photo: Anette Ask / The Royal Court
A selfie with the crowds from the Palace Square. Photo: NTB
From the Palace, the celebration continued with an open-top bus down Karl Johans gate, with stops at the University Square and the City Hall Square to meet even more supporters. Police described the crowds as challenging, but the parade made its way slowly and calmly through the city centre.
The open-top bus, with "Alt for Norge" on its side, making its way through the crowds. Photo: NTB
The bus leaving the Palace Square on its way to the City Hall Square. Photo: NTB
Martin Odegaard capturing the celebrations from the bus. Photo: NTB
Erling Braut Haaland and Sander Berge did manage to greet the King, but had to miss the rest of the celebration. Head coach Stale Solbakken explained that their flight from Miami was delayed, and that the two had commitments that could not be changed.
The royal family followed the national team closely throughout the tournament. Crown Prince Haakon and football president Lise Klaveness were in the stands in Miami for the quarter-final against England.
Crown Prince Haakon and football president Lise Klaveness in the stands in Miami during the quarter-final against England. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB
Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus cheered Norway on from the stands several times during the tournament, including when Norway beat Senegal 3-2 in the group stage, and during the round-of-16 match against Brazil in New Jersey. There they also met the Brazilian legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazario, and after the victory they got to greet Stale Solbakken in the dressing room.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus in the stands as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 in the group stage. Photo: Simen Sund / The Royal Court
In the stands in New Jersey with Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazario, two of Brazil's greatest players of all time. Photo: Simen Sund / The Royal Court
Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus talking with head coach Stale Solbakken after the victory over Brazil. Photo: Simen Sund / The Royal Court
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit watched the round-of-16 match against Brazil from the Palace on 5 July. After the victory, the Crown Prince went out to join the supporters in the rowing celebration in front of the Palace.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit watched the round-of-16 match against Brazil from the Palace. Photo: The Royal Court
The Crown Prince joined the supporters in the rowing celebration in front of the Palace after the victory over Brazil. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB