Norway: 'Royal birthday fete lays bare need for a republic' says Gunnar L. Brevig

Norway has one of the most expensive monarchies in Europe, near double the per capita price of the Dutch royals, but putting an exact price tag on their activities is difficult. Even if the Royal Court (Kongehuset) released all its expenses, we're certain a thing or two would remain hidden in some bank account or other.

Even minor events that the royals host or attend entail six-figure costs to the treasury. They can go to the opening of a library, listen to a seminar, or visit a charity - all triggering the security merry-go-round with road blocks, sniffer dogs, and cordoned-off areas, not to mention staff at whatever place they are set to visit having to rehearse their welcome and to decorate the place as best they can.

Let's not forget to mention the huge number of children in daycare or schools who through the ages have been deployed to wave when a royal highness walks or is driven by. Using kids as wave-fodder is fortunately not expensive, but it still cuts their play time short.

The Crown Princess, meanwhile, seems to be doing what she can to scrimp on her dress budget by accepting gifts and sponsorships in secret - not such a good move. When the royal family totally unexpectedly had to open up their wardrobes and air out the price tags this July, we learned that such an inspection couldn't take the light of day. Many people are shocked, some have said that the Crown Princess is a danger to the monarchy, and even monarchists are critical.

Maybe it's time to privatize the royal family says Gunnar L. Brevig, Chairman of Norway's Republican Association

 

They can finance themselves by charging an hourly rate for lectures, openings, etc.. says Norway has one of the most expensive monarchies in Europe, near double the per capita price of the Dutch royals, but putting an exact price tag on their activities is difficult. Even if the Royal Court (Kongehuset) released all its expenses, we're certain a thing or two would remain hidden in some bank account or other. 

They are certainly commanding resources that could be redirected to other things if we dropped the old-fashioned monarchy. For us, however, the main reason to discontinue the monarchy is because it goes against core principles of democracy. Norway should introduce democratic elections of our formal head of state rather than have the title pass to the family's firstborn.

It really is time to discuss the republic. Norway deserves to be able to choose good leaders for the future - not to inherit them from the past. 

Read more: 'Royal birthday fete lays bare need for a republic' - The Local