Dan Dare
03-25-2005, 05:52 PM
A letter to the editor in today’s Times
UK and Norway's independence
From the Ambassador of Norway
Sir, Exactly 100 years ago, on March 25, 1905, The Times published a letter from Mr Fritjof Nansen, the Norwegian polar explorer. This letter represented the start of an important political campaign to win the support of Britain for a break-up of the Union between Norway and Sweden, which had lasted since 1814.
The campaign was successful. The crucial support of this country was secured. The formal recognition was given in a telegram sent on October 30 to Oslo by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Lansdowne. Fritjof Nansen became the first Norwegian Minister to the Court of St James’s.
During 1905 two referendums took place. The first was on the question of whether or not to separate from Sweden. An overwhelming majority voted for independence. The second was on whether an independent Norway should be a republic or a monarchy. More than 90 per cent voted in favour of a monarchy.
The Storting (parliament) decided to invite a Danish prince to accede to the throne and, accompanied by his wife Queen Maud and their son Crown Prince Olav, King Haakon set foot in Norway on November 25. Queen Maud was King Edward VII’s youngest daughter. The fact that a British princess was King Haakon’s wife was significant, both in the choice of the new King by the Storting and the decision in London to support Norway’s struggle for full independence.
Britain and Norway share more than a thousand years of common history. The events in 1905 underlined the importance of these ties. Since then we have continued to come closer, not least during the Second World War.
The special visit that the King and Queen of Norway will pay to London in October at the invitation of HM the Queen will undoubtedly underline our special affinity.
Yours,
TARALD O. BRAUTASET,
Royal Norwegian Embassy,
25 Belgrave Square, W8 4QA.
March 24.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,174-1540109,00.html
UK and Norway's independence
From the Ambassador of Norway
Sir, Exactly 100 years ago, on March 25, 1905, The Times published a letter from Mr Fritjof Nansen, the Norwegian polar explorer. This letter represented the start of an important political campaign to win the support of Britain for a break-up of the Union between Norway and Sweden, which had lasted since 1814.
The campaign was successful. The crucial support of this country was secured. The formal recognition was given in a telegram sent on October 30 to Oslo by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Lansdowne. Fritjof Nansen became the first Norwegian Minister to the Court of St James’s.
During 1905 two referendums took place. The first was on the question of whether or not to separate from Sweden. An overwhelming majority voted for independence. The second was on whether an independent Norway should be a republic or a monarchy. More than 90 per cent voted in favour of a monarchy.
The Storting (parliament) decided to invite a Danish prince to accede to the throne and, accompanied by his wife Queen Maud and their son Crown Prince Olav, King Haakon set foot in Norway on November 25. Queen Maud was King Edward VII’s youngest daughter. The fact that a British princess was King Haakon’s wife was significant, both in the choice of the new King by the Storting and the decision in London to support Norway’s struggle for full independence.
Britain and Norway share more than a thousand years of common history. The events in 1905 underlined the importance of these ties. Since then we have continued to come closer, not least during the Second World War.
The special visit that the King and Queen of Norway will pay to London in October at the invitation of HM the Queen will undoubtedly underline our special affinity.
Yours,
TARALD O. BRAUTASET,
Royal Norwegian Embassy,
25 Belgrave Square, W8 4QA.
March 24.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,174-1540109,00.html