Nearly 25 years after Crown Princess Mette-Marit walked down the aisle to marry Crown Prince Haakon, one of Norway’s most memorable royal wedding looks is back in the spotlight.
The Norwegian Royal House is marking the couple’s upcoming silver wedding anniversary by giving visitors a rare look back at their August 25, 2001 nuptials, including Mette-Marit’s original bridal gown, Haakon’s gala uniform and the table setting used during their wedding celebrations.
The special display is part of the Royal Palace’s 2026 summer opening in Oslo and will remain accessible to visitors through August 16.
According to the palace, the couple’s wedding attire is being exhibited in the Great Hall, while the original table setting from their 2001 wedding is on display in the Grand Dining Hall.
© NTBThe Royal House also offered royal fans a closer look at the nostalgic display on social media, sharing footage of the elaborate place settings while “Wedding Day at Troldhaugen” played in the background.
The tribute comes just weeks before Haakon and Mette-Marit officially celebrate 25 years of marriage on August 25.
A royal wedding remembered 25 years later:
Haakon and Mette-Marit married at Oslo Cathedral on August 25, 2001, less than a year after announcing their engagement in December 2000.
© LaPresseMore than 800 guests attended the ceremony, with Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, now King Frederik X, serving as Haakon’s best man. Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, was among the page boys.
For the occasion, the future Crown Princess wore an understated ecru gown made from thick silk crêpe and soft silk tulle.
© The Grosby GroupThe skirt extended into a two-meter train inspired by the gowns of Queen Maud, while an extraordinary 125 meters of silk tulle were used throughout the design. Mette-Marit completed her bridal look with a six-meter veil and a delicate tiara dating to 1910, which was gifted to her by King Harald and Queen Sonja.
Her bouquet was equally distinctive. Rather than carrying a traditional arrangement, the bride wore the flowers around her wrist in a muff-style design featuring orchids, hydrangeas, roses, pearls and other decorative elements.
© NTBFollowing the ceremony, members of European royal families joined Norwegian officials, relatives and friends for the wedding banquet at the Royal Palace.
A particularly meaningful anniversary for Haakon and Mette-Marit:
This year’s milestone carries added significance following a difficult period for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
© ZUMA Press, Inc.In June, the Royal House announced that Mette-Marit had been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant as a result of her chronic pulmonary fibrosis.
At the same time, the palace confirmed that the couple had postponed the celebration originally planned for their silver wedding anniversary.
© The Grosby GroupThe Crown Princess underwent a successful lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital on June 17. Haakon adjusted his official schedule to support his wife during her hospitalization and recovery.
Nearly a month later, on July 14, the palace announced that Mette-Marit had been discharged from the hospital and would continue her recovery and rehabilitation.
© The Grosby Group“I am deeply grateful,” the Crown Princess said in a statement following her discharge, expressing particular gratitude to organ donors as well as her family and the medical professionals who cared for her.
While their planned anniversary celebration may have been postponed, the palace’s look back at their wedding offers a poignant reminder of the day their life together officially began nearly a quarter of a century ago.
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