Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has this comment following today’s report from the Royal Palace that Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has given birth to a daughter:

”On behalf of the Government it is a great pleasure to congratulate Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit with the birth of their daughter. We congratulate King Harald and Queen Sonja with their new grandchild, and the Norwegian people with a new heiress to the throne.

The birth is an historic event, as this is the first time a daughter of Norway’s crown prince and crown princess is born to inherit the throne. In 1990 section 6 of the Constitution was changed to give both sexes equal right to inherit Norway’s throne. The child now born thus enters the order of succession as number two – next to her father the Crown Prince.

We extend our warmest regards to parents and child, wishing them all the best”.