Took the family to Bergen

Read the story of when the world’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth, visited Bergen.

On 8 August 1969, the royal British yacht “Britannia” docked at Festningskaien in Bergen.

On board was the then 43-year-old Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain, ready for two days in the city between the seven mountains.

“Falled for Bergen”

The queen had her entire family with her. The husband Prince Philip (1921–2019), the heir to the throne Prince Charles, Princess Anne and what BT referred to as the “little princes” Andrew and Edward.

Norway’s then king, Olav V, crown prince Harald and crown princess Sonja hosted the famous guests from the west.

Under the title “The queen fell for Bergen”, BT referred from the queen’s first day in Bergen, with visits to the Maritime Museum, Gamlehaugen and Troldhaugen.

“The drive was, among other things, laid across Nygårdsparken, which was a bit of a peculiar sight – and also a particularly beautiful sight in the lovely summer weather,” wrote BT’s journalist.

Grieg fan

At Troldhaugen, the British royal family were given both a tour and a concert. Queen Elizabeth must have been so interested in Grieg’s history that the program was delayed by 20 minutes.

“They themselves expressed a desire to see the composer’s hut – something that fell outside the set program (…) A number of questions were asked”, tour guide Sigmund Thorsteinsson said.

The evening ended with a “banquet in simple forms” in Håkonshallen. On the menu was wild salmon, reindeer steak and ice cream with mullets. The dessert was served as a Håkonshall-shaped ice cream cake with “festive lighting”.

Fed seals at the Aquarium

Day two of the visit offered the whole of Bergen’s golden line for the queen and family: a drive through the city centre, the Aquarium, Gamle Bergen and Fløyen.

The many present at Festningskaien caught a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth wearing “a simple costume dress with a white bottom and patterned with bombs in golden green and turquoise. She wore a small beanie hat in the same fabric, tied at the back. Furthermore, she had a white bag, white shoes and gloves,” wrote BT.

At the Aquarium, the royals were able to take part in feeding the seals, something that is said to have particularly pleased the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward. The seals reportedly behaved “really wild and cheerful in honor of the royals”.

Russian caviar and strawberries from Hardanger

After a tour of Old Bergen, the cortege of royalty was driven to the top of Fløyen to have lunch at the Fløi restaurant.

“From well-informed sources, Bergens Tidende has been told that it was a very successful meal in the venerable halls,” BT reported after the visit.

The queen and the 80 guests were reportedly served Russian caviar, goose liver and salmon – as well as strawberries from Reiseter farm at Nå in Hardanger.

After two packed days in Bergen, the queen went on to Åndalsnes and Molde. BT summarized the visit as follows:

“Queen Elizabeth thrives on the Bergen summer day – there can hardly be any doubt about that.”