St Margaret’s Hope (Admiralty House)

Norwegian Royal Family Connections

 
German troops invaded Norway on 9 April 1940, planning to capture the King and the Government to force the country to capitulate. However, the Royal Family, the Government and most members of the Storting were able to flee before the occupying forces reached Oslo.

Convened at Elverum in Eastern Norway, the Storting gave the King and the Government full authority to rule the country for the duration of the war. The Germans demanded that the King appoint a government headed by Nazi sympathiser Vidkun Quisling. The King stated that he would not attempt to influence the decision of the Government in this matter, but that he would abdicate if they chose to comply with the German ultimatum. Upon learning of the King’s refusal, German forces repeatedly bombed the village of Nybergsund where he was staying. Fortunately, he and the Crown Prince managed to escape to safety.

On 7 June 1940 the King, the Crown Prince and the Government travelled from Tromsø to England, establishing a government in exile in London to lead the resistance effort. King Haakon became the foremost symbol of the Norwegian people’s will to fight for a free and independent Norway, and his radio broadcasts from London served as a source of inspiration for young and old alike.

King Haakon, Princess Marthe and her three children photographed at Rosyth as they prepare to return to Oslo at the end of the war.

Group picture at Admiralty House, North Queensferry, before the royal party embarked in HMS NORFOLK.

Left to right:
Front row seated: Princess Astrid; Prince Harald; Princess Ragnhild.
Centre row: Lady Whitworth; HM King Haakon; HRH Crown Princess Marthe; Admiral Sir William J Whitworth, KCB, DSO, Commander in Chief Rosyth.
Back row: Captain (S) F R J Mack, CBE, RN; Captain J E Jacabsen, R Nor N; Captain R Bruusgaard, R Nor N, Aide-de-Campe; Monsieur E Colban, Norwegian Ambassador; Mrs Ostgaard, Lady-in-Waiting; Mrs G Alston; Major G Alston; Mrs F R J Mack; Lieutenant D R J Austin, RNVR; Lord Chamberlain Wedel Jarlsberg.

HM King Haakon of Norway walking with Vice Admiral McGrigor on the quarterdeck of HMS NORFOLK during the royal family’s return to Oslo at the end of the war.