During a garden party in 2016, when the royal couple Harald and Sonja celebrated 25 years on the throne, 1,500 people from all over Norway were invited. The audience consisted of politicians, cultural figures, refugees, older and younger people and was intended to reflect modern Norway.
In the King's short speech, given in the wake of the refugee wave and immigration debate of 2015–2016, he gave his view on what it means to be Norwegian.
Norwegians are committed young people and experienced old people. Norwegians are single, divorced, families with children and old married couples. Norwegians are girls who like girls, boys who like boys, and girls and boys who like each other.
Norwegians believe in God, Allah, Everything and Nothing. Norwegians like Grieg and Kygo, Hellbillies and Kari Bremnes.
In other words: Norway is you. Norway is us, said the king.
The speech has since been analyzed, praised and debated. Now that Harald has passed away, it lives on and is frequently quoted among mourners, columnists and politicians.
"'Norway is you. Norway is us'. That shows something fundamental about his view of the country he was king of. Everyone should be involved. He was a king who listened and saw us and who cared about us with all his heart," says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in his memorial speech to the king.
The speech is called “Norway is one” and King Harald concluded it like this:
When we sing "Yes, we love this country", we should remember that we are also singing about each other. Because we are what make up the country. Therefore, our national anthem is also a declaration of love to the Norwegian people.
My greatest hope for Norway is that we will be able to take care of each other. That we will build this country further – on trust, community and generosity. That we will feel that we – despite all our differences – are one people.
That Norway is one.
