Moving Image

Return of King Haakon VII to Norway, 1945 June 7

Dublin Core

Title
Return of King Haakon VII to Norway, 1945 June 7
Identifier
2022013_08
Date
1945 June 7
Description
A parade along Karl Johan Gate toward the Royal Palace and in front of Town Hall. King in military uniform in car. This film was made available to Norwegian Television for broadcast on June 7, 1985, and the television company has a celluloid copy of the film in its archives. According to journalist Geirr Aakhus, who was a friend of Campbell Norsgaard and familiar with the history of the collection, no money was ever paid to Norsgaard for the use of this footage. Aakhus considers this reel, in particular, to be of “enormous interest to Norwegian people all over the world.” This historic milestone in Norwegian history, the years of exile during World War II, is described by journalist Tim Greve, who fo many years work with the Norwegian Foreign Services, in his book Haakon VII of Norway as such, “It is safe to say that there was never a happier day in the annals of the nation.” This film captures that significant day in a unique manner which is of extraordinary cultural and historical value to Norwegians.
Film available online here.
Funding for digitization provided to NAHA by the Sons of Norway Foundation.
Extent
00:10:52
Format
Independent films
Rights
In Copyright
https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission for the rights-holder(s).
Spatial Coverage
Oslo, Norway
Table Of Contents
00:00:00 White screen with black text: “June 7, 1940 King Haakon and his government left Norway to continue the fight against the German invaders from foreign soil.”
00:00:10 White screen with black text: “True to his motto: ‘All for Norway’ King Haakon was the symbol of Norway’s fight for freedom and has won forever a place in the heart of the Norwegian people.”
00:00:22 White screen with black text: “June 7, 1945 The King returns to liberated Norway welcomed by his enthusiastic people.”
00:00:26 White screen with black text: “At Oslo Harbor.”
00:00:29 Man looking through binoculars on boat.
00:00:38 Views of the city, troops parading in the street.
00:00:50 Battleships entering harbor. Ceremony and crowds at harbor.
00:01:08 White screen with black text: “Crown Prince Olav waiting to greet the King.”
00:01:14 Crown Prince Olav and entourage standing at harbor.
00:01:33 White screen with black text: “The King Crown Princess Martha and the children arriving.”
00:01:39 Boat carrying the Royal Family enters the harbor. Family exits the boat onto the harbor.
00:02:31 The Royal Family approaches the ceremonial platform set up on harbor. King Haakon VII salutes the crowd on the podium.
00:02:48 White screen with black text: “The King is greeting the allied officers and inspecting the guard of honor.”
00:02:54 King Haakon VII shakes hands with men on the podium. Prince and Princess follow behind him. King Haakon VII marches through a line of troops saluting to him. Soldiers hold back the crowd. The King stands by the crowd.
00:03:53 The speech of welcome by Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen in front of Oslo’s City Hall.
00:03:58 Man introduces King Haakon VII before his speech. The King stands at the microphone and gives his speech. King steps down from the podium.
00:04:50 King Haakon VII gets into black open-top car and is joined by his wife, Crown Princess Märtha. They wave while driving away. The Crown Prince Olav and his family drive away in another black open-top car and wave to the crowds.
00:05:29 White screen with black text: “40,000 soldiers of the home front and underground workers from all parts of the country parading before the king.”
00:05:38 Views of the crowds around the Royal Palace. Soldier standing in front of crowd. Military band playing. Parade of soldiers walks in front of the Royal Family on steps of the Palace. Soldiers march in lines. Onlookers watch the parade, as does the royal family.
00:09:19 White screen with black text: “All through the night the people continually paraded before the King’s Palace.”
00:09:26 Torch being lit. Views of onlookers down the street of the parade and large crowds. Cavalry lead parade down the street. Parade of soldiers go through the crowds. People pass through with Norwegian flags, nurses march in uniform, crowds march together.
00:10:32 Red screen with white text: “Edited and photographed by Campbell Norsgaard.”
00:10:50 Blue screen.
00:10:52 Film ends.
Bibliographic Citation
[Indicate the cited item here]. Campbell Norsgaard Collection. Norwegian-American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota.
Has Format
MP4

Citation

Norsgaard, Campbell, “Return of King Haakon VII to Norway, 1945 June 7,” Digital Collections, accessed October 16, 2026, https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/items/show/16003.