Norwegian Royals Watch as Obama Receives Nobel Peace Prize

The royals of Norway were present, front row and center, as U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at Oslo City Hall Thursday. Although there has been some controversy over the President receiving the Prize, King Harald V warmly gave him the award in front of nearly a thousand attendees.

AP Photo/Odd Andersen

The royal family – the King, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit – sat and watched intently as Obama delivered his 35 minute speech following actual receiving of the Prize.

Earlier in the day, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama met with the royals in the Bird Room at the royal palace.

However, there has been some controversy over Obama’s treatment of King Harald in regards to the monarch welcoming him to Norway and congratulating the President on winning the Peace Prize.

First, he cancelled his lunch with Harald, then did not visit a Peace Center. Finally, Obama cancelled his appearance at the annual concert in honor of the Peace Prize which is to be held Friday.

AP Photo/John McConnico, pool

Most Norwegians are not thrilled about this. According to an InFact poll, 44 percent say the President not having lunch with the King was impolite. Those numbers rose to 53 percent when it came out that he was not going to the concert.

First Lady Michelle Obama will be having audience with the royals, though. But with some Norwegian politicians voicing their dismay over President Obama cancelling the lunch and skipping the concert, that may not be enough.