Queen Sonja and King Harald V of Norway lead members of the Norwegian Royal Family in celebrations for the queen's 70th birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway. A commoner, she married then Crown Prince Harald in 1968 and became queen consort in 1991.
The Royal Yacht Norge was the site of many of Queen Sonja's 70th birthday celebrations. The royal family sailed on it on July 4 to Stavenger, where many European royal families joined them for a luncheon. Later, they all cruised along Norway's southern coast, ending July 7 at the Norwegian royal couple's holiday retreat, Maageroe.
Queen Sonja of Norway arrives by the Royal Yacht Norge to attend celebrations for her 70th birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway. She has two children, Princess M
King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway attend celebrations for Queen Sonja's 70th birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway. According to published reports, the couple dated for almost a decade before marriage because Harald's father was opposed to his son marrying a commoner. It wasn't until Harald threatened to give up his rights to the throne that the two were permitted to marry.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, one of the guests celebrating Norway Queen Sonja's 70th birthday, snaps some pictures of the Spangereid Canal during a cruise July 5, 2007, in Lindesnes, Norway.
Princess Martha Louise of Norway attends celebrations for her mother Queen Sonja's 70th birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway. The 36-year-old princess is fourth in line for the Norwegian throne, after her brother and his children. She and her husband, author Ari Behn, have two daughters.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his wife board the Royal Yacht Norge for a 70th birthday party for his mother, Queen Sonja, on July 4, 2007, in Stavenger, Norway. The 33-year-old heir to the throne married single mother Mette-Marit Tjessem H
Prince Frederik of Denmark boards the Norwegian royal yacht Norge for Norway's Queen Sonja's 70th birthday celebration on July 4, 2007, in Stavenger, Norway.
Queen Margrethe II, center, and Prince Henrik of Denmark attend celebrations for Queen Sonja of Norway's 70th birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway.
Princess Mathilde, Duchesse de Brabant, of Belgium boards the Norwegian royal yacht Norge for Queen Sonja's 70th birthday celebrations on July 4, 2007, in Stavenger, Norway.
Queen Sonja of Norway officially opens the Spangereid Canal with the royal familiy and their guests as part of the celebrations for her 70th birthday July 5, 2007, in Lindesnes, Norway.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and her father-in-law, King Harald V of Norway, attend celebrations for Queen Sonja of Norway's 70th birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway. The princess is married to Harald, Sonja's only son.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden boards the Norwegian royal yacht Norge for Norway's Queen Sonja's 70th birthday celebrations on July 4, 2007, in Stavenger, Norway.
Queen Silvia of Sweden attends celebrations for Queen Sonja of Norway's 70th Birthday on July 4, 2007, in Stavanger, Norway.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark sits on board the ship Sea Stallion from Glendalough as part of the celebrations for Norwegian Queen Sonja's 70th birthday. The royal family and their guests visited Lindesnes lighthouse, the southernmost point of the Norwegian mainland, on July 5, 2007, in Lindsnes, Norway.
Even royalty can't be guaranteed perfect weather for their parties. Norwegian Queen Sonja, who turned 70 on July 4, 2007, celebrates her birthday with King Harald as they arrive at the dinner at "Flor og Faere" in Sor-Hilde in Stavanger, southwest Norway.
Norway's royal family and their guests arrive at Ny Hellesund late in the afternoon as part of the celebrations for the queen's 70th Birthday on July 5, 2007, in Lindesnes, Norway. The group were there to visit Lindesnes lighthouse, the southernmost point of the Norwegian mainland.