On November 5, 2013, Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway began their three-day state visit to Turkey.  The purpose of the visit is to strengthen ties between the two countries.  According to the official website for the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey the visit “…will constitute the first Head of State visit between Turkey and Norway since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1926.”

Anyway, after landing at the airport Their Majesties were driven to the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Mausoleum in Ankara to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony. Thereafter, Their Majesties arrived at the Cankaya Presidential Palace where they were warmly welcomed to Turkey by President Abdullah Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül.

After the inspection of the guards and formal introductions to various Turkish government officials King Harald V and Queen Sonja went their separate ways.  His Majesty attended a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Recep Erdoğan while Her Majesty attended a luncheon held in her honor and hosted by First Lady Gül.

Later in the afternoon, Her Majesty and First Lady Gül visited the “…Saray Care and Rehabilitation Centre and the Sevgi Evleri Nursery School in Ankara and opened the Munch/Warhol and the Multiple Image at the Cer Modern Arts Centre…” according to the Norwegian royal court.

In the evening, President Abdullah Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül hosted a gala state dinner in honor of Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.

And, that’s it for today.   🙂

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