Doubts

VG reports an African woman has been working at the Norwegian Royal Palace under a false name and country of origin for eight years.

The family came to Norway in 1990 claiming to be from Somalia and five years later, one of her brothers applied for Norwegian citizenship.

But it was then that doubts about the woman’s origins arose, after language tests revealed she must be from Kenya or Tanzania.

Whilst her brother’s application was subsequently approved, a request for citizenship by another one of her siblings was later turned down on the basis he’d misled authorities into believing he was from Somalia. It turned out he was Tanzanian.

Despite this, the UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) granted the woman Norwegian citizenship in 1997 based on what she claimed to be her Somali origins.

“They know where I live; I’ve got a Norwegian passport and Norwegian citizenship. I haven’t got any more to say,” she says, claiming the authorities haven’t contacted her about it.

“Nothing to say”

Martin Waage, head of the ABP World Group tells the paper he’s astonished.

“Potential Palace or Governmental employees have to be severely scrutinised, and I think what has happened is hair-raising.”

But the Palace has decided not to consider her position, even though they’ve been unaware of the situation until now.

“The person concerned is a reputable employee of the Royal Household. We have no comment to make regarding VG’s question,” says Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, Assistant Director of Communications.

And the UDI won’t comment on the matter either, though departmental director Karl Erik Sjøholt says citizenship can be revoked if the applicant has withheld or given false information.

King Harald has been informed about the matter.