OSLO, Norway, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Sharon Stone's American manners caused problems when she arrived late Sunday at a banquet for Nobel Peace Prize winners in Oslo.
Actresses may have a penchant for arriving late at U.S. functions, but in the Norwegian capital, people take pride in being on time, especially if royalty is present.
European custom calls for the last arrival spot to be set aside for royalty. Stone arrived after all the royals. One palace official called it a "violation" of international custom, according to the paper.
For the first time, Norway's King Harald V and Queen Sonja attended the annual Nobel banquet at the Grand Hotel. Normally the Nobel committee keeps the event low-key, and royalty is not invited.
This year was different. Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus had asked Spain's Queen Sophia to be his guest. The committee approved inviting the Norwegian king and queen by a narrow margin. Nobel secretary Geir Lundestad told Aftenposten the committee wanted the affair to be "relaxed."
