Norway's King Harald V turned 70 on Wednesday, and that kicked off five days of celebrations. Royal fans braved biting cold to get a royal wave when the king attended a special church service in Oslo at noon.
Flags flew all along the boulevard leading from the Royal Palace to the Parliament, Karl Johans Gate, in honour of King Harald's 70th birthday on Wednesday. The royal standard was flying from atop the palace itself.
Here comes one of the cars from the Royal Palace.
Crown Prince Haakon arrived at the church, as a 21-gun salute sounded from the Akershus Fortress in honour of his father.
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was invited as well.
The crown prince's family heading into Trinity Church.
Waiting inside Oslo's Trinity Church was a large children's choir. The children sang and wished King Harald "Happy Birthday" in a variety of languages.
Oslo Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme led the special service at Trinity Church Trefoldighetskirken since the Oslo Cathedral is undergoing renovation.
The monarch with the children's choir on his birthday, Queen Sonja at far right.
King Harald's daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mette-Marit (right) arrived with Princess Märtha Louise, the king's daughter, and Märtha Louise's husband Ari Behn.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (left) was also on hand for the special birthday church service.
Princess Märtha Louise and her husband Ari Behn were welcomed by Oslo Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme.
When the church service was over, the royals headed back to the palace and later trooped out to the palace grounds for another birthday ceremony. King Harald and Queen Sonja led the procession. Behind them is Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her son, Marius Borg Høiby.
The afternoon ceremony centred around presentation of the Parliament's gift to King Harald: A statue of his late mother, Crown Princess Märtha. The king unveiled the statue after a speech by the parliament's president.
King Harald, whose mother died in 1954, was visibly moved by the statue of the woman who didn't live long enough to become Norway's queen.
Crown Princess Märtha "has found her rightful place" in the palace park, said the president of Norway's Parliament. Behind the statue is an ice sculpture also created in connection with the king's 70th birthday.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit (front left) waved at the crowd. Next to her is her son Marius and Crown Prince Haakon, followed by Princess Märtha Louise and her husband Ari Behn.
Earlier in the day, a stream of dignitaries paid their respects at the Royal Palace. Thorbjørn Jagland, president of the Norwegian Parliament, was among the first to congratulate the king on turning 70.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg also came to say "Happy Birthday." He was to host a government banquet for the king Wednesday evening.
Aili Keskitalo, president of the Sami Parliament in northern Norway, also visited the king at the palace.
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