King Harald V visit to Newcastle

His Majesty King Harald V of Norway received the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle when he visited the city on 13 November 2008.

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor David Wood, presented King Harald with the city's highest award to mark the fortieth anniversary of the official opening of Newcastle Civic Centre. King Harald's father King Olav V opened the centre on 14 November 1968.

During the ceremony His Majesty signed the honours register, which dates back to the 1800s. His Majesty's name joins his father's on a special wall in the Banqueting Hall of the Civic Centre which features past recipients of the honour including the former US President Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Sir Bobby Robson.

Councillor Wood said, "Forty years ago the people of Newcastle celebrated the opening of the Civic Centre and that wonderful occasion also marked the cultural and economic links we continue to enjoy with the people of Norway. I am delighted His Majesty accepted the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle."

His Majesty concluded his visit to the region when he visited The Sage Gateshead for an Oil and Gas business event organised by The Norwegian Collaboration Centre, with support from One NorthEast and NOF Energy, highlighting the opportunities for North East firms to do business in Norway.