The Norway football squad have had their meeting with the Royal Family delayed after they exited the Fifa World Cup on Saturday.
Erling Haaland and his teammates had been due to meet with King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus at the Royal Palace at around 6pm.
Their flight, departing from Florida, was delayed by two hours, pushing back the royal rendezvous to 8pm instead.
The squad head home with their head held high after reaching the nation’s first-ever World Cup quarter-final, where they fell short against a spirited England side.
But Norway’s historic achievements at this World Cup did not go unnoticed, with the Royal Palace inviting them to honour their achievements with a reception followed by a celebration in Palace Square.
The Royal Palace confirmed: “His Majesty The King hosts a reception at the Royal Palace for the Norwegian men’s national football team.
“His Royal Highness The Crown Prince, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra and His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus will also be in attendance.
The Norway football squad have had their meeting with the Royal Family delayed after they exited the Fifa World Cup on Saturday
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REUTERS
“Following the reception, The Crown Prince, The Princess and The Prince will accompany the men’s national football team to the Palace Square.”
The squad’s World Cup journey began with a perfect qualification record to end their 28-year tournament absence, scoring 37 goals in the process.
Haaland scored 16 times during this phase, matching the record for an individual in qualifiers.
Both Norway and their talisman took their phenomenal form into the group stage, which they kicked off with a 4-1 demolition of Iraq before a 3-2 victory over Afcon finalists Senegal.
Despite a 4-1 defeat to favourites France, Norway, who took the US by storm as thousands of fans took to the streets performing their now-iconic rowing celebration, made it through to the round of 32, in which they defeated Ivory Coast.
This then brought Norway’s biggest challenge yet, and one that would turn their World Cup run from impressive to legendary: a round of 16 clash with five-time champions Brazil.
While they may not be the footballing powerhouse of previous decades, the Selecao are historically the most successful and coveted nation in the history of the sport. Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Ingrid Alexandra watched on as Norway overcame them with a surprise 2-1 win, setting up a crunch quarter-final match against England.
Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Ingrid Alexandra watched on as Norway overcame them with a surprise 2-1 win, setting up a crunch quarter-final match against England
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GETTY
A disappointed but undoubtedly proud Crown Prince Haakon spectated from the stands in Miami, sat next to Fifa President Gianni Infantino, draped in a Norwegian scarf
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GETTY
For Haaland, who was born in Leeds and plays his football in Manchester, it seemed fitting that the pinnacle of his professional career would be against the nation he grew up in.
However, despite an inspired performance that saw them take the lead against the Three Lions, Norway eventually bowed out of the competition, losing 2-1 after extra time.
A disappointed but undoubtedly proud Crown Prince Haakon spectated from the stands in Miami, sat next to Fifa President Gianni Infantino, draped in a Norwegian scarf.
In a light-hearted bit of fun, airline FlyNorwegian changed its logo to British Airways, after making a cheeky bet ahead of the quarter-final.
But the squad will undoubtedly be bitterly disappointed, as they had to go straight to the Royal Palace to meet up with the most distinguished members of the Norwegian Royal Family.