Norway's national soccer team received a heroes' welcome after its historic run to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, with the Royal Palace opening its doors for a special reception before an estimated 100,000 fans filled the streets of Oslo.
But as King Harald V greeted the players, many royal watchers noticed one familiar face was missing, Queen Sonja. While the King welcomed the squad alongside Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus, Queen Sonja was away on a private trip aboard the royal yacht Norge.
© JAN LANGHAUGHer absence was confirmed by the Norwegian Royal House, which revealed that the monarch was sailing in Jarfjorden, a remote fjord in northern Norway near the country's border with Russia.
© TROND REIDAR TEIGENWhy Queen Sonja wasn't at the palace:
A spokeswoman for the Norwegian Royal House confirmed that Queen Sonja's yacht was in Jarfjorden during the celebrations, describing the voyage only as a "private mission." The palace did not provide any additional details about the Queen's itinerary.
© AMANDA PEDERSEN GISKEQueen Sonja is known for her love of hiking and has visited Kirkenes and the surrounding region on numerous previous occasions, both privately and officially. The palace, however, did not disclose the purpose of this latest private trip.
The area is known for its dramatic Arctic scenery and unique locations situated close to the Russian border.
© Patrick van KatwijkCrown Princess Mette-Marit also missed the celebrations:
Queen Sonja was not the only senior royal absent from the festivities. Crown Princess Mette-Marit also did not attend as she continues recovering from her recent lung transplant.
Although she was discharged from the hospital earlier in the day, her recovery requires strict medical precautions, making her absence from the public celebration expected.
© Per Ole HagenThe rest of the royal family ensured the team received a memorable welcome home. King Harald hosted the players inside the Royal Palace after personally inviting them following their World Cup elimination, a gesture that reflected the nation's pride in the squad despite falling short of the semifinals.
King Harald's special gesture:
The palace reception carried extra emotional significance because it stemmed from a personal invitation by King Harald himself.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesIn a video shared by the Royal House shortly after Norway's World Cup campaign ended, the King told the disappointed players that he wanted to welcome them to the Royal Palace upon their return home, bypassing the usual formalities to thank them for inspiring the country.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus also delighted royal fans by sitting on the floor alongside the players during the reception rather than remaining at a distance, highlighting the relaxed and warm atmosphere inside the palace.
© RN E. BORGENA royal celebration in front of 100,000 fans:
After the indoor reception, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus stepped out onto Palace Square, where an estimated 100,000 supporters had gathered to celebrate the national team.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesOne of the day's standout moments came when Haakon picked up a drum and led the enormous crowd in the traditional "Viking row," with thousands of fans moving in unison as they cheered the players.
Captain Martin Ødegaard later admitted he was stunned by the turnout, describing the support as being beyond anything the team had expected.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesWhy Erling Haaland left early:
While most of the squad remained for the public celebration, Erling Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge quietly departed after the palace reception.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesHead coach Ståle Solbakken later explained that the pair were forced to leave because delays to their return flight from the United States left them with almost no time before needing to catch another flight. Their early departure was therefore a logistical necessity rather than an attempt to skip the public festivities.
Earlier in the day, Haaland had already generated headlines after arriving in Norway carrying a stuffed taxidermy raccoon he had purchased during a stop in Texas, creating one of the most unexpected viral moments of the team's homecoming.
© TROND REIDAR TEIGENA parade full of unforgettable moments:
The celebrations continued through central Oslo as the players boarded an open-top bus for a victory parade through the city.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe overwhelming crowds briefly brought the procession to a standstill, with supporters packing the streets so tightly that the bus was forced to reverse at one point.
In another humorous moment, low-hanging overhead cables temporarily blocked the route, forcing the players standing on the upper deck to quickly duck down before the bus could continue.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesDespite the logistical hiccups, the day ended as a celebration of one of the greatest achievements in Norwegian football history.
