Order of St. Olav, Knight First Class

His Majesty King Harald of Norway has decided that the members of a-ha will be appointed Knights First Class of the Royal Order of St. Olav, after a proposition by Music Export Norway.

This was announced in a press release today:

“The Norwegian Royal Order of St. Olav is awarded for distinguished services for Norway and mankind. Each of the three members of a-ha, Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy will, after a proposition by Music Export Norway, receive this Royal Order for their outstanding musical contribution.”

The full press release is available in English at musicexportnorway.no.

“Magne, Morten and Paul are very honoured to be awarded the Order of St. Olav”, a-ha manager Harald Wiik tells Dagbladet.

The official ceremony will take place in Oslo on November 6th.

Other Norwegian musicians who have received the same honour in the past include Jahn Teigen, Åge Aleksandersen, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Jan Garbarek and Truls Mørk.