King receives Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado as she emerges from hiding

The Norwegian royal family said it received Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the palace after the politician emerged from hiding after winning Nobel Peace Prize.

A statement  said, "King Harald received this year's peace laureate María Corina Machado in the audience at the Palace. Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon were also present."

It added, "Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to secure democratic rights for the people of Venezuela, and for his fight for a fair and peaceful transition from dictatorship to popular rule."

According to AFP, Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding to make her first public appearance in almost a year, waving to supporters from the balcony of her Oslo hotel early on Thursday.

Machado, who won the Nobel for challenging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s grip on power, did not arrive in Norway in time for Wednesday’s prize ceremony.

Her daughter collected the prestigious award on her behalf, and delivered a blistering acceptance speech in her stead.

The Venezuelan democracy campaigner made it to the Norwegian capital hours later, and went straight to see her family, Nobel Prize Committee Chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said.

From the balcony of the Grand Hotel, Machado later greeted a crowd of jubilant supporters, who sang and shouted “libertad” (freedom), according to AFP journalists.