21 february: King Harald V of Norway
Prince Harald was born on 21 February 1937 at the Skaugum
estate during the reign of his grandfather King Haakon VII and was baptised in the
Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo on 31 March 1937 by Bishop Johan Lunde.
His godparents were:
his paternal grandparents King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway;
his maternal grandparents Prince Carl and Princess Ingeborg of Sweden;
King Leopold III of Belgium;
Queen Mary and King George VI of the United Kingdom;
and Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark.
His parents already had two daughters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid.
Family and ties
At the time of Harald's birth, he was 2nd in line of succession to the
Norwegian throne following his father, Crown Prince Olav; and also was
16th in line of succession to the British throne as a descendant of
King Edward VII through his paternal grandmother, Queen Maud. He is
a member of the House of Glücksburg.
World War II
In 1940 the entire royal family had to flee Oslo because of the German invasion.
It was deemed safer for the family to split up. The King and Crown Prince Olav
would remain in Norway and the Crown Princess was to make her way to
Sweden with the three children. The latter party reached Sweden on the night of
10 April, but although Crown Princess Märtha was Swedish-born, they encountered
problems at the border station. According to Princess Astrid and others who were
present, they were admitted only after the driver threatened to ram the border gate.
Another account does not describe the escape so dramatically.
It was deemed safer for the family to split up. The King and Crown Prince Olav
would remain in Norway and the Crown Princess was to make her way to
Sweden with the three children. The latter party reached Sweden on the night of
10 April, but although Crown Princess Märtha was Swedish-born, they encountered
problems at the border station. According to Princess Astrid and others who were
present, they were admitted only after the driver threatened to ram the border gate.
Another account does not describe the escape so dramatically.
However, when the King and Crown Prince inquired of Swedish foreign
minister Christian Günther whether they could sleep one night in Sweden without
being interned, their request was refused.
minister Christian Günther whether they could sleep one night in Sweden without
being interned, their request was refused.
Harald spent the following days in Sälen before moving to Prince Carl
Bernadotte's home in Frötuna on 16 April. On 26 April the group moved to
Drottningholm in Stockholm. King Gustaf V has been accounted to have had an
amicable relationship with his Norwegian guests, but the topic of the war in
Norway was not to be raised. However, influential Swedish politicians, including
Minister of Justice Westman, wanted the Crown Princess and Prince Harald to
be sent back to Norway so he could be proclaimed King by the Germans.
Bernadotte's home in Frötuna on 16 April. On 26 April the group moved to
Drottningholm in Stockholm. King Gustaf V has been accounted to have had an
amicable relationship with his Norwegian guests, but the topic of the war in
Norway was not to be raised. However, influential Swedish politicians, including
Minister of Justice Westman, wanted the Crown Princess and Prince Harald to
be sent back to Norway so he could be proclaimed King by the Germans.
After the King and Crown Prince had to leave Norway on 7 June they felt Sweden
might not be the best place for the rest of the family, and started planning for them
to go to the United States. On 17 August the Crown Princess and her children left
for the United States from Petsamo, Finland, aboard the United States Army
transport ship American Legion.
might not be the best place for the rest of the family, and started planning for them
to go to the United States. On 17 August the Crown Princess and her children left
for the United States from Petsamo, Finland, aboard the United States Army
transport ship American Legion.
Harald and his mother and sisters lived in Washington, D.C. during the war,
while his father, Crown Prince Olav, and his grandfather, King Haakon, stayed
in London with the Norwegian government-in-exile. One of the notable events
he remembers from that time is standing behind Franklin D. Roosevelt when
he was sworn in for his fourth term on the South Portico of the White House in
1945. Such childhood experiences are reflected in a trace of an American
accent when he speaks English.
while his father, Crown Prince Olav, and his grandfather, King Haakon, stayed
in London with the Norwegian government-in-exile. One of the notable events
he remembers from that time is standing behind Franklin D. Roosevelt when
he was sworn in for his fourth term on the South Portico of the White House in
1945. Such childhood experiences are reflected in a trace of an American
accent when he speaks English.
Harald visited Norwegian servicemen training in the United States.
The prince also made visits outside America, travelling north to visit
Norwegian personnel at the training base "Little Norway" in Ontario, Canada.
He attended The White Hall Country School from 1943. Prince Harald
returned to Norway with his family at the war's end in 1945.
The prince also made visits outside America, travelling north to visit
Norwegian personnel at the training base "Little Norway" in Ontario, Canada.
He attended The White Hall Country School from 1943. Prince Harald
returned to Norway with his family at the war's end in 1945.
In the autumn of 1945 he was enrolled in third grade of Smestad skole as
the first member of the royal family to attend a public (state) school. Amidst
this when he was only 17 years old in 1954, his mother died of cancer.
the first member of the royal family to attend a public (state) school. Amidst
this when he was only 17 years old in 1954, his mother died of cancer.
The Crown Princess's death was a tremendous loss for him and his family
as well as for Norway,and he named his daughter Märtha to honour her
memory. Four years later in 1958 he would lose his maternal grandmother
Princess Ingeborg of Denmark.
as well as for Norway,and he named his daughter Märtha to honour her
memory. Four years later in 1958 he would lose his maternal grandmother
Princess Ingeborg of Denmark.
A young Crown Prince
In 1955 he graduated from Oslo katedralskole and in the autumn of that year,
Harald began studies at the University of Oslo. He later attended the Cavalry
Officers' Candidate School at Trandum, followed by enrollment at the
Norwegian Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1959.
Harald began studies at the University of Oslo. He later attended the Cavalry
Officers' Candidate School at Trandum, followed by enrollment at the
Norwegian Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1959.
On 21 September 1957 at the death of his grandfather, Harald became crown
prince at the age of 20 and he attended the Council of State for the first time
six days later and took the oath to the Constitution of Norway on 21 February 1958.
In the same year, he also served as regent in the King's absence for the first time.
prince at the age of 20 and he attended the Council of State for the first time
six days later and took the oath to the Constitution of Norway on 21 February 1958.
In the same year, he also served as regent in the King's absence for the first time.
A student
In 1960, Harald entered Balliol College, Oxford where he studied history,
economics and politics. He was a keen rower during his student days at
Oxford and was taught to row by fellow student and friend Nick Bevan, later a
leading British school rowing coach. In 1960, he also made his first official
journey abroad, visiting the United States in connection with the fiftieth
anniversary of the American Scandinavian Foundation.
economics and politics. He was a keen rower during his student days at
Oxford and was taught to row by fellow student and friend Nick Bevan, later a
leading British school rowing coach. In 1960, he also made his first official
journey abroad, visiting the United States in connection with the fiftieth
anniversary of the American Scandinavian Foundation.
Sports
An avid sailor,Harald represented Norway in the yachting events of the
Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, Mexico City in 1968, and
Munich in 1972. The Crown Prince carried the Norwegian flag at the
opening parade of the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, Mexico City in 1968, and
Munich in 1972. The Crown Prince carried the Norwegian flag at the
opening parade of the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Harald is an honorary president of the International Soling Association.
Love and marriage
Although it was speculated that Harald would marry Princess Sopia of Greece
and Denmark (who later became Queen Sophia of Spain), Harald married a
commoner, Sonja Haraldsen, at Oslo Domkirke in Oslo on 29 August 1968.
and Denmark (who later became Queen Sophia of Spain), Harald married a
commoner, Sonja Haraldsen, at Oslo Domkirke in Oslo on 29 August 1968.
The pair had dated for nine years, but Olav was reluctant to allow his son to
marry a commoner. Olav only relented when Harald told his father that if he
was not allowed to marry Sonja he would not marry at all. This would have
ended the reign of his family and the Norwegian monarchy, as Harald was
the sole heir to the throne.
marry a commoner. Olav only relented when Harald told his father that if he
was not allowed to marry Sonja he would not marry at all. This would have
ended the reign of his family and the Norwegian monarchy, as Harald was
the sole heir to the throne.
The couple have two children, Princess Märtha Louise and Crown
Prince Haakon, heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.
Prince Haakon, heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.
Reign
On the death of his father on 17 January 1991, Harald succeeded
automatically to the Norwegian throne. He became the first Norwegian-born
monarch since Olav IV died in 1387, a gap of 604 years. Harald is the sixth
King of Norway to bear that name, and the first in 855 years. The five other
kings who have born the name are Harald Fairhair, Harald Greycloak,
Harald Bluetooth, Harald Hardrada, and Harald Gille.
automatically to the Norwegian throne. He became the first Norwegian-born
monarch since Olav IV died in 1387, a gap of 604 years. Harald is the sixth
King of Norway to bear that name, and the first in 855 years. The five other
kings who have born the name are Harald Fairhair, Harald Greycloak,
Harald Bluetooth, Harald Hardrada, and Harald Gille.
Harald Bluetooth is usually not given a number in the Norwegian list of kings,
therefore Harald is 'only' numbered as Harald V. King Harald made the
decision to use his grandfather's royal motto, "Alt for Norge".
The King also chose to continue the tradition of royal benediction,
a tradition that had been introduced with his father, and was consecrated
together with Queen Sonja in the Nidaros Cathedral on 23 June 1991.
therefore Harald is 'only' numbered as Harald V. King Harald made the
decision to use his grandfather's royal motto, "Alt for Norge".
The King also chose to continue the tradition of royal benediction,
a tradition that had been introduced with his father, and was consecrated
together with Queen Sonja in the Nidaros Cathedral on 23 June 1991.
Modernization
The reign of King Harald has been marked by modernization and reform
for the Norwegian Royal family. The King has cooperated closely with
Queen Sonja and the Crown Prince in making the royal household more
open to the Norwegian public and the Norwegian media. King Harald's
decision to accept two more commoners into the royal family,
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Ari Behn, has been interpreted as a sign
of modernization and adjustment
for the Norwegian Royal family. The King has cooperated closely with
Queen Sonja and the Crown Prince in making the royal household more
open to the Norwegian public and the Norwegian media. King Harald's
decision to accept two more commoners into the royal family,
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Ari Behn, has been interpreted as a sign
of modernization and adjustment
Nowadays
King Harald V in October 2021 at the opening of Sámi Parliament session
of 2021-2022 King Harald's leadership during Norwegian national crises,
such as the New Year's Day Storm, the landslide in Gjerdum and
particularly the 2011 attacks, has been met with both national
of 2021-2022 King Harald's leadership during Norwegian national crises,
such as the New Year's Day Storm, the landslide in Gjerdum and
particularly the 2011 attacks, has been met with both national
and international acclaim.
In 2015, he became the world's first reigning monarch to visit Antarctica,
specifically the Norwegian dependency Queen Maud Land
specifically the Norwegian dependency Queen Maud Land
In 2016 Harald, in a speech marking 25 years on the throne, sought to unify
Norwegians coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as “girls who love
girls, boys who love boys and girls and boys who love each other.”
Norwegians coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as “girls who love
girls, boys who love boys and girls and boys who love each other.”
On 17 January 2021, King Harald celebrated 30 years on the throne of Norway.
Health
In January 2021 Norway’s King Harald V was admitted to the main hospital in Oslo
to undergo surgery for an injured tendon over his right knee, the palace said Friday.
to undergo surgery for an injured tendon over his right knee, the palace said Friday.
Harald underwent a heart valve replacement in 2021 to improve his breathing.
Doctors ruled out COVID-19.
The king’s aortic valve was replaced with an artificial valve in In 2005.
Such valves have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years, the royal household said.
Such valves have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years, the royal household said.
Descendant of Queen Victoria
King Harald V of Norway is a descendant of Queen Victoria via:
His father King Olav V - Maud of Wales (grandmother) -
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.
More on this link.
Conclusion
It is said that King Harald of Norway is celebrating his B-day abroad. The royal
court of Norway didn't metioned who travelled with him.
court of Norway didn't metioned who travelled with him.
Source pictures: Wikipedia + stamp
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