Norway's King Harald, centre, and Queen Sonja waving, join people gathered in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo, Sunday Jan. 17, 2016. Norway is celebrating King Harald's 25th anniversary as monarch of the Scandinavian country with concerts, candlelight processions, children's winter events and a gala performance at the University of Oslo. (Audun Braastad/NTB scanpix via AP) NORWAY OUT
The Associated Press
HELSINKI (AP) - Norway is celebrating King Harald's 25th anniversary as monarch of the Scandinavian country with concerts, candlelight processions, children's winter events and a gala performance at the University of Oslo.
A service in the Royal Chapel included the royal family, government officials, family friends and royal visitors from Sweden and Denmark. Twenty-one-gun salutes were sounded nationwide in honor of the 78-year-old king and his wife Queen Sonja.
Many of Sunday's events are being broadcast by Norwegian TV NRK, and the public is able to congratulate the royal couple online or sign a register at the Royal Palace, open until midnight Sunday.
Harald became king when his father Olav died on Jan. 17, 1991. The Norwegian king has a ceremonial role and is not part of the government.
Norway's King Harald, centre, joins people gathered in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo, Sunday Jan. 17, 2016. Norway is celebrating King Harald's 25th anniversary as monarch of the Scandinavian country with concerts, candlelight processions, children's winter events and a gala performance at the University of Oslo. (Berit Roald/NTB scanpix via AP) NORWAY OUT
The Associated Press
Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja wave to people gathered in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo, Sunday Jan. 17, 2016. Norway is celebrating King Harald's 25th anniversary as monarch of the Scandinavian country with concerts, candlelight processions, children's winter events and a gala performance at the University of Oslo. (Berit Roald/NTB scanpix via AP) NORWAY OUT
The Associated Press
The Norwegian royal family gather for a family photo at the crown prince couple's residence at Skaugum, Norway, Saturday Jan. 16, 2016 to celebrate King Harald's 25 years on the throne. From left, front row are Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus, and King Harald, and at rear from left, Crown Princess Mette Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Maud Angelica Behn and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. (Lise Aserud/Scanpix Norway via AP) NORWAY OUT
The Associated Press
People gather in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo, Sunday Jan. 17, 2016. Norway is celebrating King Harald's 25th anniversary as monarch of the Scandinavian country with concerts, candlelight processions, children's winter events and a gala performance at the University of Oslo. (Audun Braastad/NTB scanpix via AP) NORWAY OUT
The Associated Press