Richard Wood was appointed ambassador to Norway by Her Majesty the Queen herself. He seemed very touched when he came into the studio to talk to TV 2.
“I’m a diplomat, so I have a professional role to fill, but I feel this very strongly,” said Richard Wood.
– Our main ambassador
He was in London and not at the embassy in Oslo when he received the news of his death. He goes out on the street and sees how people don’t know how to react.
She herself was appointed by the queen personally, and she told him she had very special memories of Norway.
– He’s our chief ambassador, Wood said.
It is easy to understand that Queen Elizabeth is also the queen of ambassadors. He has visited all parts of the world. He was in Norway three times, but the most special state visit was probably the first. Because it was not only his first visit to Norway, but also his first state visit as king.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was among those who signed a condolence protocol at the British embassy. Støre was received by British Ambassador Richard Wood. Photo: Beate Oma Dahl / NTB / Pool
– She is very knowledgeable in foreign policy, said Wood, who constantly slips and talks about queens in the present. It was hard to accept the fact that he was gone.
Unfortunately, Wood was not happy to receive the Queen at the embassy in Oslo itself. He had been in too poor health in recent years, and had not traveled as much as before.
Great support in Norway
Now King Charles must become a new symbol of stability, Wood said.
– It’s important for him to go outside Buckingham Palace and say hello to people.
Here he kisses the king
Contact with people, both at home and abroad, is one of the things that makes Queen Elizabeth so special. Wood also felt that the great interest in the British royal house was something very special.
– It’s great that we’ve received so much support here in Norway in the last 24 hours. And the message from King Harald was exactly what England wanted to hear.
He was slightly surprised by the great interest in the royal family.
– At the same time, he is a strong presence around the world. Also for me. My father was ten years old when he became queen. We have no other king in our time.
Queen Elizabeth is Britain’s foremost ambassador, Richard Wood told TV 2. The Queen is highly committed and knowledgeable about foreign policy. Photo: Swimming pool
Big shoes to fill
Now she hoped that King Charles would be a unifying figure like her mother.
He believes it may be some time before King Charles follows in his mother’s footsteps and makes a state visit to Norway.
– It can take a long time to plan a state visit, Wood said, but he hopes King Charles will continue the commitment his mother showed to foreign and embassy policy.
Watch the full interview with Wood in the video window below:
“Social media guru. Total beer fanatic. Tv ninja. Typical coffee fan. Amateur entrepreneur. Unapologetic food scholar.”
