Norwegian Monarchs' Symbolic Role: A New Era Begins with Harald's Transition
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Like other royal houses in Europe, the Norwegian monarchs serve a largely symbolic role, enjoying celebrity status while real power in the democracy of 5.5 million rests with an elected parliament. Harald was crowned after his British-born father, King Olav V, died in January 1991, and reigned during an oil-and-gas-driven economic boom in his country.
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Vanity FairKing Harald V of Norway has died at 89 from complications related to hemolytic anemia. The latest update from the royal house early Thursday morning reported that the king’s condition was very serious and that his entire family, including his grandchildren, had rushed to the hospital in Oslo where he was receiving treatment. According to Norwegian media reports, Marius Borg Høiby was also at his bedside. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were dressed in black, with the crown prince wearing a black tie. Immediately after the news broke, people began gathering in the square in front of the royal palace in Oslo, bringing flowers and rallying in memory of their king.
NewsweekNorway's King Harald has died at the age of 89, the royal palace said on Friday.
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In an official statement today, Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre marked the passing of Harald and the transition to a new era.
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Washington Times Culture“A whole nation is in mourning and the people of Norway are left with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement. “For more than three decades as monarch, Harald V demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people. He helped us to see the best in ourselves — and in one another.”
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Harald was 3 years old when the Nazis occupied Norway at the start of World War II. To avoid capture, his mother fled with him and his sisters, Ragnhild and Astrid, first to Sweden and then by boat to the U.S., while Harald’s father and grandfather went into exile in Britain with Norway’s government.
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Vanity FairA childhood marked by war and exile in the United States He spent the first three years of his life peacefully in Skaugum, together with his sisters Ragnhild and Astrid. But on April 9, 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded Norway, everything changed. The royal family was forced to flee. Little Harald, just three years old, left with his mother and sisters while King Haakon VII and Crown Prince Olav were active in the Norwegian resistance.
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Like his father - an Olympic champion sailor in 1928 — Harald loved the sea and sailboats. He represented Norway at several Olympics, and in 1987 he skippered his yacht to gold in the World Championships.
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Vanity FairBut it was above all in sailing that Harald made his mark as an athlete. He competed in three Olympic Games: Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972. In Tokyo, he placed eighth in the 5.5-meter class and also served as Norway’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony.
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Their love became a matter of state, and the couple had to wait nine years for an answer. There were fears that marrying a commoner could damage the monarchy, with some suggesting that such a marriage could spell an end for the monarch. Finally, after consulting with parliamentary leaders, and the government, King Olav gave his consent. On March 19, 1968, it was officially announced that Crown Prince Harald would marry Sonja. The wedding took place on August 29, 1968, at Oslo Cathedral. After nine years of waiting, Harald had finally married the woman he loved. (Possibly at the displeasure of Queen Frederica of Greece, who was rumored to have had her sights set on Harald for her daughter Sofia, the future Queen of Spain.)
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Washington Times CultureKing Olav had feared the marriage would weaken Norway’s still-young monarchy. Instead, Norwegians greeted the Aug. 29, 1968, wedding with jubilation, and later embraced Sonja as their queen. The couple had two children, Haakon and his older sister, Märtha Louise.
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01 Newsweek Harald will be succeeded by his son, the new King Haakon VIII. This is a breaking story. More to follow.
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02 Washington Times Culture The family was reunited in Norway in June 1945, shortly after the end of the war in Europe. Harald attended public schools, the Norwegian military college and Oxford University.
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03 Vanity Fair In his New Year’s address delivered on the evening of December 31, 2022, King Harald spoke to the many challenges facing Norway, Europe, and the world—the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, and the rising number of refugees emigrating to the continent.
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