Marit Tjessem, 88, the mother of Queen Mette-Marit of Norway, made a rare public appearance at the funeral of King Harald in Oslo Cathedral, according to reports by the Norwegian publication Se og Hør. Tjessem had not been seen publicly for over eight months, with her last documented appearance occurring during a Christmas service at Holmenkollen Chapel on Christmas Day.
A Rare Appearance Amid Royal Transitions
According to Se og Hør, Wednesday’s funeral marked the first time Tjessem has appeared publicly since her daughter transitioned from crown princess to queen following the death of King Harald. Tjessem arrived at Oslo Cathedral accompanied by her son, Espen Høiby, and his wife, Renate Jonassen. Mette-Marit’s sister, Kristin Høiby, was also in attendance to pay her final respects to the late monarch.
The public gathering took place during a challenging period for Queen Mette-Marit. According to official reports, the Norwegian queen is still recovering from a lung transplant procedure. Because of her ongoing recovery, she was forced to cancel her scheduled participation when King Haakon took his oath before the Storting.
Family Context at the State Funeral
The funeral service also brought together other members of the extended royal circle under difficult circumstances. According to visual coverage from the event, Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, attended the service after receiving special permission. Borg Høiby is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for offenses including rape, a conviction that has been appealed. Wearing an electronic monitoring tag, he arrived at the cathedral alongside family members.
Tjessem has maintained a historically close bond with the Norwegian royal family. When Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit married in 2001, Tjessem publicly thanked King Harald and Queen Sonja for the warm reception they extended to her daughter and the entire family.
Did you know? Marit Tjessem’s last recorded public sighting prior to the funeral took place more than eight months earlier, during the Christmas holiday services at Holmenkollen Chapel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Marit Tjessem?
Marit Tjessem is the mother of Queen Mette-Marit of Norway. She generally maintains a private lifestyle and rarely makes public appearances.
Where did Marit Tjessem make her recent public appearance?
According to Se og Hør, Tjessem attended the funeral of King Harald at Oslo Cathedral alongside other members of the royal family.
Why has Queen Mette-Marit missed recent official events?
Official records note that Queen Mette-Marit continues to recover from a lung transplant, which required her to cancel her appearance at King Haakon’s swearing-in ceremony.
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