London Guildhall

My Lord Mayor,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Your Excellencies,
My Lords,
Aldermen,
Sheriffs,
Chief Commoner,
Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of Queen Sonja and myself I would like to thank you for your kind words of welcome, and for the warmth and hospitality we are enjoying here this evening.

This visit continues a centuries-old tradition of friendship between our two countries. And I know that you, Lord Mayor, have shown a special interest in Norway, and that you visited our country in June. The guest list for the banquet in this magnificent hall is a good illustration of the close links between the City of London, the British business community and Norway.

This year, Norway is celebrating its 100th anniversary as an independent nation in modern times. This means that our Visit to the United Kingdom comes at a particularly appropriate time. It is an opportunity both to commemorate one hundred years of independence and to thank the British people for their support and friendship through both good and bad times.

My grandmother Queen Maud was the daughter of King Edward VII and the first Queen of the newly independent Norway. The personal ties between the new Norwegian Royal Family and the British Royal Family were therefore close right from the start – as indeed they are today.

Norwegians have always admired the “spirit of London” – how you stood firm against the Blitz and remained defiant in the face of the terrorist attacks in July. Norwegians responded to these attacks with horror and disbelief, but also with heartfelt feelings of solidarity towards the British people.

Lord Mayor,
As many Norwegians before me, I arrived in the Port of London by ship. In fact, we anchored not far from Guildhall. Ever since the Viking era, Norwegians have been trading across the North Sea and the Vikings themselves were in fact the first Norwegian “businessmen” to visit your country.

The trade links between Norway and Britain developed further in the 15th and 16th centuries, when English and Scottish merchants competed for trade privileges in Norwegian towns. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, there was a huge demand for timber for repairs and reconstruction. For several hundred years timber shipped to Britain was the most important Norwegian export.

The 19th century saw further expansion of the economic ties between Norway and Britain. In 1850, the English started to organise tours of the Norwegian mountains. British salmon anglers visiting our rivers were the first tourists in our country and thus gave birth to the Norwegian tourist industry.

The number of British tourists visiting Norway is still growing, and has now reached nearly 300 000 a year. The typical British tourist is no longer a salmon angler. Hiking, skiing and mountaineering are some of the main attractions nowadays.

Throughout history, both Norway and Britain have been great seafaring nations. During the Second World War, most of the Norwegian merchant fleet was operated from London, through Nortraship.

Shipping is still one of the strongest economic links between our two countries. Around 300 Norwegian companies are operating in the United Kingdom, companies specialising in ship financing, shipbroking and maritime insurance are among those found here in London.

In order to develop natural resources, shipping and industry, Norwegian businesses have maintained close contacts with the City. Banking and insurance on the Square Mile have played a major role in the economic development of Norway.

Britain is Norway’s most important export market for oil, gas and offshore-related products and a major market also for traditional Norwegian goods.

Oil and gas will undoubtedly continue to play a key role in our co-operation in the future. Norway has a large proportion of the confirmed oil and gas reserves in Western Europe. One of the most important projects at the moment is the construction of a pipeline, Langeled, to transport gas from the Ormen Lange field to the British gas market. It will be able to deliver about 20 per cent of the UK’s annual gas consumption.

More than one third of foreign investment in Norway is made by companies based in Britain. This is of course linked to London’s position as the leading centre for fund management in Europe. Throughout history, Norwegian businessmen have turned to London as a source of capital for their ventures.

Lord Mayor,
Historians have found traces of British influence in Norway through more than 1000 years. Language, religion, art, music and fashion are areas where you have left your imprint in our society.

Norwegians love Britain and London, and we feel at home in this great city. We enjoy its huge range of cultural, shopping, sporting and culinary opportunities.

Thank you for making us feel so welcome.

With these words I would like to propose a toast to the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London.