24 MAY 2002
Norway’s Princess Martha Louise and her intended, the author Ari Behn, celebrated the night before their wedding at a gala event filled with laughter and tears. The couple were guests at a special evening organised in their honour by the Norwegian government.

Dressed in a figure hugging, strapless gown, slashed to the thigh and accessorised with a five-strand necklace of pearls, the 30-year-old princess looking happy and relaxed as she enjoyed her last night as a bachelor girl. She and her husband-to-be held hands and gazed frequently into each other’s eyes during the celebrations in Trondheim’s 1,200-seat Olavshallen concert hall.

At one point, Martha was clearly moved by the proceedings, but remained smiling as she dabbed gently at her eyes with a handkerchief. The couple have had a busy time in the run-up to Friday afternoon’s nuptials, with a crammed programme of activities on top of the need to address the controversy sparked by the groom’s bohemian past and outspoken comments on delicate issues.

The ceremony, which is being attended younger members of most European royal families takes place at 4pm on Friday.