Annual Report 2009

In 2009, the Royal Family carried out 452 official assignments at home and abroad, which included visits to 55 municipalities in 17 of Norway’s 19 counties. Their Majesties The King and Queen carried out their annual county visit in Hordaland County in June, while the Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited Rogaland County in late August/early September.

More about the official programme

In 2009, His Majesty The King granted 123 audiences and conducted 29 formal audiences in which newly appointed ambassadors to Norway presented their credentials. The Royal Family also participated in a number of internal meetings regarding management of the organisation and preparation for activities in connection with the official programme.

Her Majesty The Queen has taken active part in efforts related to the maintenance and development of the Royal Residences. Additionally, she has focused special attention on the art and cultural sphere, and plays a leading role in the cultural dissemination activities carried out under the auspices of the Royal Court.

His Royal Highness The Crown Prince devotes much of his time to the Global Young Leaders, Global Redesign and Global Dignity initiatives. Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess completed a part-time, master’s level study programme in management at the Norwegian School of Management in addition to performing her official duties. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess also carried out assignments for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The Crown Princess helped to organise and lead an international youth conference on HIV/AIDS in Oslo in June.

Renovation activities

A report on the use of the funds allocated to the Royal Court (the Civil List) and the staff of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess (official budget) by the Storting is submitted annually. A large proportion of the allocated funds have been used for the renovation of the Royal Palace, the main building at Bygdø Royal Farm and Oscarshall Summer Palace as well as for the restoration of the cultural and historical artefacts located there. The renovation of Oscarshall Summer Palace was completed in 2009, and in August the King and Queen reopened the palace to the public.

An accounting of the allowances provided to the King and Queen and to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will not be provided. The allowances are meant to cover the management, operation, maintenance and development of the private properties – the summer holiday retreat Mågerø, the Royal Mountain Chalet in Sikkilsdalen and the Royal Lodge Kongeseteren - in addition to their personal expenses. As the Norwegian State does not provide a residence to the Crown Prince and his family, funds for the management, operation, maintenance and development of the main building on Skaugum Estate are incorporated into the annual allowance. The allowance for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess comprised a total of NOK 6 536 000. Of this amount, approximately NOK 4 900 000 was used for property management, operation, maintenance and development purposes.

Accounts

The accounts for the Civil List showed a deficit of NOK 1 373 844, which will be covered by appropriations from previous years. The accounts for the staff of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess showed a deficit of NOK 837 920, which will also be covered by appropriations from previous years.

The accounts for the Section for Culture showed a deficit of NOK 206 313, which will be covered by the Section’s own capital.

In 2009, the Royal Court was granted dedicated funds from the Storting for the renovation and repair of the facades and drainage system around the main building on Skaugum Estate. Most of the work, which began after Easter 2009, was completed by December.

Annual reports from previous years

Annual reports from previous years are available in PDF format, and may be downloaded using the link on the right (Norwegian language only ) .