Norway–United Kingdom relations

Norway-United Kingdom relations

United Kingdom
Norway
The Norwegian stone in Hyde Park, London.

Norway–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between Norway and the United Kingdom.

History

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1905, after Norway’s independence. The UK has an embassy in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in London. Relations, however, go as far back as the Viking Age when Norse Vikings raided the British Isles, founding permanent settlements in the west of England, Isle of Man, the Hebrides, Scotland, Orkney and Shetland. As a result, the English language has been greatly influenced by the Norwegian language. This cultural bond has persisted to this day, resulting in a close cultural relationship between the two countries.

During World War I, Norway was neutral. However, due to largely favouring the British over the Germans, Norway came to be known as The Neutral Ally.

World War II

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is donated to the people of London by the city of Oslo each year since 1947.

During World War II, Norway was invaded and occupied by Germany, forcing the Norwegian king and government to create a government-in-exile in London. The British military also helped train and organize Norwegian commandos to attack Nazi installations in Norway. As a token of appreciation from the Norwegian people to the people of Britain, a Norwegian Christmas Tree is sent every year from Oslo to Trafalgar Square in London.[1]

Each year for the last 60 years Newcastle upon Tyne has received a Christmas tree as a gift from the people of Bergen, one of Newcastle’s twin cities. The impressive Norwegian spruce, standing at 45 feet tall, was personally felled by Gunnar Bakke who has been the mayor of Newcastle’s twin city since September 2007. Each year the tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian white lights and is a symbol of peace and goodwill. The people of Norway also send a tree to the town of Great Grimsby every Christmas since the end of World War II, for the past few years the tree has been selected by the people of Sortland.[2]

Modern Day

Norway and the U.K. share mutual border boundary lines in Antarctica, and mutually recognise each other's claims as well as those of Australia, France and New Zealand.

Both countries are full members of NATO and of the Council of Europe. There are around 18,000 Norwegians living in the United Kingdom and around 13,395 British people living in Norway.[3] British people are one of the largest immigrant groups in many cities. The cities with the most Britons are Oslo (2,535), Stavanger (1,542), Bergen (1,014), Bærum (716), Trondheim (360), Asker (307), Kristiansand (238), Drammen (144) and Fredrikstad (111).[4]

Queen Elizabeth II has made three state visits to Norway during her reign, in 1955, 1981 and most recently in 2001 when she was received by King Harald V.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ British Embassy Oslo. "Oslo's Christmas tree gift to Trafalgar Square". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Festive cheer as giant Christmas tree from Norway arrives at Grimsby docks". Grimsby Telegraph. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Statistics Norway
  4. ↑ Statistics Norway - Immigrants and Norwegian-born to immigrant parents, by country of birth1, (the 20 largest groups). Selected municipalities. 1 January 2011
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