Celebrations took place in Lillehammer to mark the 25th anniversary of the Winter Olympics ©The Royal Court

King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway have taken part in celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

Festivities were arranged by the Norwegian National Olympic Committee, the City of Lillehammer and the Norwegian Olympic Museum.

The Royal couple attended a celebration event in Lillehammer, where they were greeted by the Games’ Olympic mascots Håkon and Kristin.

They also met Gerhard Heiberg, who was head of the Organising Committee for Lillehammer 1994 before becoming an International Olympic Committee. 

King Harald and Queen Sonja were present for Torch lighting events at the stadium and ski jumping hills which were used for the Opening Ceremony.

They had both been present for the Opening Ceremony back in 1994.

King Harald and Queen Sonja shared memories of Lillehammer 1994 with Gerhard Heiberg, former President of the Organising Committee, who later became a member of the International Olympic Committee ©The Royal Court
King Harald and Queen Sonja shared memories of Lillehammer 1994 with Gerhard Heiberg, former President of the Organising Committee, who later became a member of the International Olympic Committee ©The Royal Court

According to Royal Central, King Harald and Queen Sonja joined groups of children at events in Søndre park.

Activities included biathlon, skating and cross-country skiing.

King Harald and Queen Sonja also met with volunteers from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

They later attended anniversary events at the Lillehammer museum and a festival celebration at the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena.

The celebration concluded with a firework display.

Celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Lillehammer 1994 ended with a firework display ©The Royal Court
Celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Lillehammer 1994 ended with a firework display ©The Royal Court

All 10 venues used in 1994 remain in use, with the town going on to stage the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2016.

Hosts Norway won the most medals at 26 but Russia secured the most golds with 11.

Lillehammer hosted in 1994 just two years after the Albertville 1992 Games in France as the International Olympic Committee opted to stage the event in different years to the Summer Olympics.

The town had been beaten by Albertville in the 1992 race.

Organisers hailed the Games for their sustainability, with more than 20 environmental projects implemented.

This included medals made primarily from natural granite and Olympic Torches featuring recycled glass cement.