by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Photo: Wikipedia

Former husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, Ari Behn, whose birth name was Ari Mikael Bjørshol, was born in Århus, Denmark on September 30, 1972. He was the eldest child of Olav Bjørshol (born 1952) and Marianne Solberg Behn (born 1953), both teachers of the Waldorf School philosophy. Ari had two younger siblings, Anja Sabrina Bjørshol and Espen Bjørshol Solberg, a film director. In 1996, Ari changed his name to Ari Behn when he took his maternal grandmother’s maiden name.

When Ari was young, his family moved to Plymouth, England for five years where his father trained and worked as a photographer. The family then moved to Norway in 1977. Ari attended the Waldorf School and Kirkeparken Videregående Skole (secondary school) in Moss, Norway.  He then received a Bachelor’s degree in history and religion from the University of Oslo.  Ari spent several years traveling in Africa, Asia, and the United States.

Before he had success as an author, Ari worked as a truck driver, bartender, and in a preschool. He had his literary breakthrough in 1999 with his collection of short stories, titled Trist som faen (Sad as Hell) which sold over 100,000 copies. He subsequently published two more books and in 2011 made his debut as a playwright with Treningstimen (Training Hour) which was staged at Rogaland Teater.  His books have been translated into six languages: Swedish, Danish, German, French, Hungarian, and Icelandic.

In addition to his writing, Ari also had other artistic and creative projects. Along with Baron von Bulldog, a fashion design company in Oslo, he launched a collection in 2004.  In 2007, he launched a very successful collection of glasses and dishes called “Peacock” for Magnor Glassworks.  In addition, he made documentaries for television and worked as a writer for various publications including Dagbladet and Aftenposten.

Photo source: Svenskdam

On December 13, 2001, Ari became engaged to Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, the daughter of King Harald V of Norway. The couple was married in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on May 24, 2002. In August 2016, it was announced that the couple separated. They divorced in 2017.

Embed from Getty Images 
Norwegian Royal family on the occasion of King Harald V’s 25th anniversary on the throne in 2016: Front: Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus, King Harald V; Back: Ari Behn, Princess Märtha Louise with Leah Isadora Behn and Emma Tallulah Behn, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Maud Angelica Behn, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra

Ari Behn and Princess Märtha Louise had three daughters: Maud Angelica (born in 2003), Leah Isadora (born in 2005), and Emma Tallulah (born in 2008).

Sadly, Ari Behn died by suicide on December 25, 2019, at his home in Lommedalen, Norway. He was 47-years-old. His manager Geir Håkonsund made an announcement on behalf of his family: “It is with great sadness in our hearts that we, the closest relatives of Ari Behn, must announce that he took his own life today. We ask for respect for our privacy in the time to come.”

Behn’s funeral was held on January 3, 2020, at the Oslo Cathedral, with services conducted by Kari Veiteberg, Bishop of Oslo. His former brother-in-law Crown Prince Haakon was one of the pallbearers. The other pallbearers were his father Olav Bjørshol, his brother Espen Bjørshol, his brother-in-law Christian Udnæs,  and nephews Ask and Isak. During the funeral service, Behn’s parents, his siblings, and his eldest daughter Maud Angelica Behn shared memories of their son, brother, and father. Ari Behn was buried at the Cemetery of Our Saviour in Olso, Norway.

• Unofficial Royalty: Funeral of Ari Behn

Crown Prince Haakon, second from the left, was one of the pallbearers at the funeral of Ari Behn; Credit – http://www.royalcourt.no/

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Princess Märtha Louise was born at Rikshospitalet in Oslo, Norway on September 22, 1971. She is the elder of the two children of King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja (born Sonja Haraldsen).  Märtha Louise has one younger brother:

• Crown Prince Haakon (born 1973), married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, had one daughter and one son

Princess Märtha Louise was christened on October 19, 1971, at the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Her godparents were:

• King Olav V of Norway (her paternal grandfather)
• Princess Axel of Denmark (her maternal great-aunt, born Margaretha of Sweden)
• Count Fleming of Rosenborg (her father’s maternal first cousin)
• Princess Ragnhild of Norway (her paternal aunt)
• Dagny Haraldsen (her maternal grandmother)
• Haakon Haraldsen (her maternal uncle)
• Nils Jørgen Astrup (her father’s friend, businessman, and ship owner)
• Ilmi Riddervold (her mother’s friend and maid of honor)

The princess is named after her grandmother Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, born Princess Märtha of Sweden, and her great-great-grandmother Queen Louise of Denmark, born Princess Louise of Sweden. Märtha Louise is a descendant of the eldest son of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII of the United Kingdom via his youngest daughter Maud who married King Haakon VII of Norway.

When Märtha Louise was born, as a female, she was not in the line of succession. In 1990, Norway’s succession law was changed to not only include females in the succession but also to allow absolute primogeniture in which the eldest child succeeds to the throne regardless of gender. However, it was decided that this would apply only to those born after 1990, so even though Märtha Louise was older than her brother Haakon, he remained ahead of her in the line of succession.

Märtha Louise began her primary education at the Smestad School, a public school in Oslo, Norway. She completed her secondary education at Kristelig Gymnasium in Oslo in 1990, with an emphasis on languages. Growing up, Märtha Louise sung in a choir, played the flute, was a member of a folk dancing group at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and was an avid equestrian.

In the autumn of 1990, Märtha Louise moved to England to improve her equestrian skills at Waterstock House Training Centre and to study literature at the University of Oxford. She later trained at Arena UK to perfect her skills as a showjumper. The princess competed on the Norwegian National Show Jumping Team, retiring from competition in 2000.

When she returned to Norway in 1992, Märtha Louise studied at Bjørknes Private School in Oslo for a year and then enrolled in a physiotherapy education program at Oslo University College.  In December 1997, she was awarded her formal qualification as a physiotherapist and in 2000, she qualified as a Rosen Method therapist.

Princess Märtha Louise reading from her Norwegian fairy tales book; Photo source: The Princess Letters Project

Since 2002, Princess Märtha Louise has had a business in which she conducts cultural work and her work as a Rosen therapist. She has been active in spreading traditional Norwegian fairy tales to a wider audience, starred in a storytelling series on Norwegian television, authored several books and audiobooks, and participated in the production of television programs for children.

Photo: The Royal House of Norway

Princess Märtha Louise became engaged to the author Ari Behn on December 13, 2001. The couple was married in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on May 24, 2002.  In August 2016, it was announced that the couple separated. They divorced in 2017. Sadly, Ari Behn died by suicide on December 25, 2019, at his home in Lommedalen, Norway.

Queen Sonja, King Harald, Princess Märtha Louise, Emma Tallulah Behn, Leah Isadora Behn, and Maud Angelica Behn in July 2017

Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn had three daughters who are untitled and follow their mother in the line of succession to the Norwegian throne.

• Maud Angelica Behn (born 2003)
• Leah Isadora Behn (born 2005)
• Emma Tallulah Behn (born 2008)

Durek Verrett and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway attend Starlite Gala on August 11, 2019 in Marbella, Spain

Märtha Louise has often faced criticism in Norway for her claims of being clairvoyant and for commercially exploiting her title of princess. In May 2019, she announced that she was in a relationship with an American citizen, a shaman named Durek Verrett who has faced strong criticism in Norway and has been characterized by Norwegian media and other critics as a conman. Together Märtha Louise and Verrett have held seminars titled “The Princess and the Shaman,” which also were widely criticized. In August 2019, Märtha Louise stated that she would no longer use the princess title in commercial contexts.

Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett; Photo: Daryl Henderson / NTB

On June 7, 2022, Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett announced their engagement with the following official announcement from the Royal House of Norway:

Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise and Mr. Durek Verrett announced their engagement today, 7 June. Their Majesties The King and Queen extend their heartiest congratulations to Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett, and wish the couple all the best for their future together. Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess and their family extend their warmest congratulations. They send their best wishes to the whole family for a happy future.

On November 8, 2022, the Royal House of Norway announced that Princess Märtha Louise of Norway had renounced her official duties because she “wishes to differentiate more clearly between her own activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway.” Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett “will not employ the title of Princess or refer to members of the Royal House in their social media channels, in media productions or in connection with other commercial activities” with the exception of the princess’ Instagram account. King Harald V of Norway, Princess Märtha Louise’s father decided that his daughter will keep her title. The press release also stressed that Durek Verrett “will become a part of the Royal Family” and “attend family-related gatherings, such as birthday celebrations, as well as certain major sporting events that the Royal Family traditionally attends together.”

On September 13, 2023, the Royal House of Norway announced that Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett would marry. King Harald V states: “The Queen and I are delighted that Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett have announced their wedding plans today. We are happy to include Durek Verret in our family and look forward to celebrating the big day with them. We wish Märtha and Durek all the best.” The couple were married in a private ceremony on August 31, 2024, at the Hotel Unio in Geiranger, Norway.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway; Credit – Royal House of Norway

Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway was born on July 20, 1973, at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo, Norway, the second of the two children and the only son of King Harald V of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen. He was born during the reign of his grandfather King Olav V of Norway.

Three days after his birth, King Olav V announced his new grandson would be called Haakon Magnus but only Haakon would normally be used. Both names are closely linked to Norwegian royal history. Seven Norwegian kings had the name Haakon, and Magnus, Latin for Great, was the name of many Norwegian kings in the Middle Ages.

• Unofficial Royalty: Ancestors of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway

Haakon was baptized in the Royal Chapel in the Royal Palace in Oslo on September 20, 1973. His godparents were the three Scandinavian monarchs:

• King Olav V of Norway (his paternal grandfather)
• King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (his paternal third cousin)
• Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (his father’s paternal second cousin)

Haakon has one elder sister:

• Princess Märtha Louise (born 1971), married and divorced Ari Behn, had three daughters

Haakon was raised at the Skaugum Estate in Asker, Norway, the traditional home of the Crown Prince, and attended primary and secondary school in Oslo. He enrolled in the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, graduating in 1995. The following year, he moved to the United States to attend the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1999 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He served as a member of Norway’s third delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and then enrolled in a program for diplomats at the Foreign Ministry. He completed his education in 2003, graduating from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Master’s Degree in development studies, specializing in International Trade and Africa.

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Sometime in the mid-1990s, Haakon met Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby at a music festival. They met again in 1999 and began a relationship. In late 2000, their engagement was announced by the Royal Palace. This came as a surprise to many Norwegians, as they had kept their relationship very private. At first, the news did not go over very well with many people because of Mette-Marit’s past and the fact that she was a single mother. The couple was also living together, which did not sit well with the church. However, with the full support of the King and Queen, Haakon and Mette-Marit gave a series of interviews in which she addressed her past and managed to win over many of their detractors. The couple was married on August 25, 2001, at the Oslo Cathedral.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby

The couple had two children, in addition to Mette-Marit’s son Marius from a previous relationship:

• Marius Borg Høiby (born 1997)
• Princess Ingrid Alexandra (born 2004)
• Prince Sverre Magnus (born 2005)

The Crown Prince undertakes many official duties, both within Norway and around the world. In addition to several patronages in Norway, since 2003 he has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and has been very involved with Young Global Leaders (YGL) since its establishment in 2005. He served as a member of The Foundation Board of the YGL Community.

Together, Haakon and Mette-Marit have established the Kronsprinsparets Fond (Crown Prince Couple’s Foundation), which focuses on youth and ensuring that all young people are able to reach their full potential. These are issues that are very important to both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Embed from Getty Images 

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Norway Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Norway Index
• Norwegian Monarchs
• Norwegian Orders and Honours
• Norwegian Royal Burial Sites
• Norwegian Royal Christenings
• Norwegian Royal Dates
• Norwegian Royal FAQs
• Norwegian Royal Residences
• Norwegian Royal Trivia
• Norwegian Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Norway
• Profiles of the Norwegian Royal Family

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

King Harald V of Norway; Credit – Wikipedia

King Harald V of Norway was born on February 21, 1937, at Skaugum, the residence of the Crown Prince, in Asker, Norway. His parents were Crown Prince Olav of Norway (later King Olav V) and Princess Märtha of Sweden.  At the time of Harald’s birth, his grandfather, King Haakon VII (born Prince Carl of Denmark, son of King Frederik VIII of Denmark) was the monarch and his grandmother, Queen Maud (born Princess Maud of Wales, daughter of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom) was his consort. King Harald is closely related to several European monarchs: King Philippe of Belgium and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg are his first cousins once removed, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is his second cousin, and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and King Charles III of the United Kingdom are his second cousin once removed.

• Unofficial Royalty: Ancestors of King Harald V of Norway
• Unofficial Royalty: First Cousins of King Harald V of Norway

Harald was christened in the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo on March 31, 1937, by Bishop Johan Lunde. His godparents were:

• King Haakon VII of Norway (his paternal grandfather)
• Queen Maud of Norway (his paternal grandmother)
• Prince Carl of Sweden (his maternal grandfather)
• Princess Ingeborg of Sweden (his maternal grandmother)
• King Leopold III of Belgium (his maternal uncle by marriage)
• Queen Mary of the United Kingdom (his paternal great-aunt by marriage)
• King George VI of the United Kingdom (his paternal first cousin once removed)
• Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark (later Queen Ingrid of Denmark, his maternal second cousin)

King Harald has two older sisters:

• Princess Ragnhild (1930 – 2012), married Erling Lorentzen, had three children
• Princess Astrid (1932), married Johan Ferner, had five children

Harald in his mother’s arms with his family; Credit – Wikipedia

In 1940, when Harald was just three years old, Germany invaded Norway.  To avoid being taken into custody by the Germans, the Norwegian Royal Family along with many members of the Government and the Storting (legislature) left Norway. Crown Princess Märtha and her three children, Princess Ragnhild, Princess Astrid, and Prince Harald, fled to Sweden, Märtha’s native country. King Haakon VII (Queen Maud had died in 1938) and Crown Prince Olav fled to London where they stayed with the Norwegian government in exile for the duration of World War II.

The family gathered outside Pook’s Hill: Prince Harald, Crown Princess Märtha, Princess Astrid, Princess Ragnhild, and Crown Prince Olav; Credit – Wikipedia

After staying in Sweden for several months, Crown Princess Märtha and her three children traveled to the United States by ship. President Franklin Roosevelt offered refuge to Crown Princess Märtha and her children. They stayed briefly at Roosevelt’s Hyde Park estate in New York State and then at the White House. Eventually, they settled into Pook’s Hill, a Tudor-style mansion in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. Crown Princess Märtha worked quietly behind the scenes to support the war effort.

The family members were special favorites of President Roosevelt and when he took his fourth and final oath of office at the White House, an 8-year-old Prince Harald was standing behind him. The work Crown Princess Märtha did in the United States had a lasting impact on U.S.-Norwegian relations. Her advocacy on her country’s behalf during World War II influenced President Roosevelt’s famous “Look to Norway” speech. In September 2005, the United States erected a statue of Crown Princess Märtha on the grounds of the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations. The statue was unveiled by her three children.

Statue of Crown Princess Märtha outside the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, DC; Credit – Wikipedia

Harald returned to Norway in June 1945 with his mother and his sisters. That autumn, he began to attend Smestad School in Oslo. In 1955, Harald graduated from the Oslo Cathedral School.  He then entered the Norwegian Cavalry Officers’ Training School and went on to finish his military education at the Norwegian Military Academy in 1959. After Harald finished his compulsory military service, he studied social science, history, and economics at Balliol College, Oxford University in Oxford, England from 1960 – 1962.

Harald’s mother Crown Princess Märtha died of cancer in 1954 at the age of 53. On September 21, 1957, when Harald’s grandfather King Haakon VII died, Harald’s father became King Olav V, and Harald became Crown Prince. Thereafter, Harald attended the Council of State and acted as Regent in the King’s absence. He worked closely alongside his father and carried out an increasing number of official tasks, such as traveling with trade delegations to promote the Norwegian industry abroad.

When he was Crown Prince of Norway, Harald’s father King Olav V had won an Olympic Gold Medal for Sailing Mixed 6 Meters in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Although he did not win a medal, Harald followed in his father’s footsteps and represented Norway in Sailing events in three Summer Olympics: 1964/Tokyo, 1968/Mexico City, 1972/Munich.

Crown Prince Harald carries the Norwegian flag at the opening ceremony in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; Photo: Royal House of Norway

In June of 1959, Crown Prince Harald attended a party hosted by a friend, Johan Stenersen. It was at this party that he met another friend of Johan Stenersen, Sonja Haraldsen. In August of 1959, when the Crown Prince graduated from the Norwegian Military Academy, he invited Sonja to attend the graduation ball, and the couple was photographed together.

Crown Prince Harald of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen at the Norwegian Military Academy Graduation Ball in August of 1959; Photo source: ATF

The relationship between the Crown Prince and Sonja was controversial as many people including politicians and journalists, felt the Crown Prince should marry a princess and not a Norwegian commoner. The controversy continued for years as did the relationship despite the media’s attempts to promote a royal marriage with either of the Greek princesses Sophia and Irene. Apparently, Crown Prince Harald made it clear to his father, King Olav V, that he would remain unmarried if he could not marry Sonja. This would have resulted in a succession crisis as Harald was the sole heir to the throne. At that time, Norway did not allow female succession, so his two sisters Ragnhild and Astrid were not in the line of succession.

Finally, in 1968, when King Olav felt the position of the Norwegian people had changed to favor Sonja, he consulted with parliamentary leaders and other government leaders and gave his consent for the Crown Prince to marry a commoner. The engagement of the couple was announced on March 19, 1968, with this announcement from King Olav V: “It is with pleasure that I inform you, Mr. President and Members of the Storting, that I, after seeking advice from the Prime Minister, members of the Government, you, Mr. President, and the parliamentary leaders of the political parties, have today given my consent to my dear son, Crown Prince Harald, to take as his wife Miss Sonja Haraldsen, daughter of the late Mr. Karl August Haraldsen and Mrs. Dagny Haraldsen née Ulrichsen.”

Engagement Photo; Photo source: ATF

The wedding was held on August 29, 1968, at the Oslo Cathedral in the presence of 850 guests. Because the bride’s father was deceased and to show his support for his soon-to-be daughter-in-law, King Olav escorted the bride down the aisle.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Harald V of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen

King Olav V escorting the bride down the aisle; Photo: Royal House of Norway

The future King Harald V and Queen Sonja at their wedding; Photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

The couple had two children:

• Princess Märtha Louise, born on 22 September 1971, married Ari Behn, divorced 2017, had three daughters
• Crown Prince Haakon, born on 20 July 1973, married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, had one daughter and one son

On January 17, 1991, King Olav V died and the Crown Prince became King Harald V. Crown Princess Sonja became the first Queen Consort of Norway in 53 years, since the death of Queen Maud, wife of King Haakon VII, in 1938. Along with King Harald, Queen Sonja was consecrated in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on June 23, 1991.

Consecration of the King and Queen; Photo: Royal House of Norway

In recent years, King Harald has been unable to perform his duties as sovereign due to ill health on several occasions: from December 2003 to mid-April 2004 due to urinary bladder cancer, from April to early June 2005 due to aortic stenosis, and in 2020 due to cardiac surgery to replace of a heart valve. In January 2021, King Harald underwent surgery for torn knee tendons and remained on sick leave through mid-April 2021. Crown Prince Haakon served as the country’s regent on these occasions, including giving the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in 2020.

Queen Sonja and King Harald; Photo: Royal House of Norway

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Norway Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Norway Index
• Norwegian Monarchs
• Norwegian Orders and Honours
• Norwegian Royal Burial Sites
• Norwegian Royal Christenings
• Norwegian Royal Dates
• Norwegian Royal FAQs
• Norwegian Royal Residences
• Norwegian Royal Trivia
• Norwegian Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Norway
• Profiles of the Norwegian Royal Family

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Queen Sonja of Norway; Credit – Royal House of Norway

Sonja Haraldsen was born on July 4, 1937, in Oslo, Norway, the daughter of Karl August Haraldsen (1889–1959) and Dagny Ulrichsen (1898–1994). Sonja grew up at 1B Tuengen Allé in Vinderen, Oslo, Norway, one of the wealthiest areas of Oslo. After her elementary education, Sonja received her secondary education at Oslo Vocational School where she studied dressmaking and tailoring. This was a useful course of study as her family owned a clothing store. Sonja then attended a finishing school in Lausanne, Switzerland, École Professionelle des Jeunes Filles, where she studied social science, accounting, and fashion design. When she returned to Norway, Sonja attended the University of Oslo. She studied French, English, and Art History and received an undergraduate degree.

In June of 1959, a few months after her father died, Sonja attended a party hosted by a friend, Johan Stenersen. At this party, Sonja met another friend of Johan Stenersen, Crown Prince Harald of Norway. In August 1959, when the Crown Prince graduated from the Norwegian Military Academy, he invited Sonja to attend the graduation ball, and the couple was photographed together.

Crown Prince Harald of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen at the Norwegian Military Academy Graduation Ball in August of 1959; Photo: ATF

The relationship between the Crown Prince and Sonja was controversial as many people felt the Crown Prince should marry a princess, not a Norwegian commoner. The controversy continued for years as did the relationship despite the media’s attempts to promote a royal marriage with either of the Greek princesses Sophia and Irene. Crown Prince Harald made it clear to his father King Olav V that he would remain unmarried if he could not marry Sonja. This would have resulted in a succession crisis as Harald was the sole heir to the throne. At that time, Norway did not allow female succession, so his two sisters Ragnhild and Astrid were not in the line of succession.

Finally, in 1968, when King Olav felt the position of the Norwegian people had changed to favor Sonja, he consulted with parliamentary leaders and other government leaders and gave his consent for the Crown Prince to marry a commoner. The engagement of the couple was announced on March 19, 1968, with this announcement from King Olav V: “It is with pleasure that I inform you, Mr. President and Members of the Storting, that I, after seeking advice from the Prime Minister, members of the Government, you, Mr. President, and the parliamentary leaders of the political parties, have today given my consent to my dear son, Crown Prince Harald, to take as his wife Miss Sonja Haraldsen, daughter of the late Mr. Karl August Haraldsen and Mrs. Dagny Haraldsen née Ulrichsen.”

Engagement photo of Sonja and Harald; Credit – ATF

The wedding was held on August 29, 1968, at the Oslo Cathedral in the presence of 850 guests. Because the bride’s father was deceased and to show his support for his soon-to-be daughter-in-law, King Olav escorted the bride down the aisle. After her marriage, Sonja became Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Noway.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Harald V of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen

King Olav V escorting the bride down the aisle; Photo: Royal House of Norway

The future King Harald V and Queen Sonja at their wedding; Photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor 

The couple had two children:

• • Princess Märtha Louise, born on 22 September 1971, married Ari Behn, divorced 2017, had three daughters
  • Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, born on 20 July 1973, married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, had one daughter and one son

On January 17, 1991, King Olav V died and Sonja’s husband became King Harald V. Sonja became the first Queen Consort of Norway in 53 years, since the death of Queen Maud, wife of King Haakon VII, in 1938. Along with King Harald, Queen Sonja was consecrated in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on June 23, 1991.

Consecration of the King and Queen; Photo: Royal House of Norway

Queen Sonja has been very active in cultural and social causes. In 1988, as Crown Princess, she started a music competition, now called The Queen Sonja International Music Competition. Originally only for pianists, the competition is now only for singers and the winners receive a cash prize and prestigious engagements at Norwegian music institutions. In addition, Queen Sonja’s School Award was established in 2006 and is awarded to schools that have “demonstrated excellence in its efforts to promote inclusion and equality”. In 2011, Queen Sonja established The Foundation for the Queen Sonja Nordic Art Award.

Queen Sonja and King Harald; Photo: Royal House of Norway

Queen Sonja is also the patron of the following organizations:

• Red Cross Nordic United World College
• Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association
• Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments
• Norwegian Association of Museums
• Norwegian National Opera
• Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
• Oslo Chamber Music Festival
• Førde International Folk Music Festival
• National Association of Folk Music and Dance
• Royal Norwegian Society for Development
• Norwegian Horticulture Society
• Norwegian Institute in Rome
• Norwegian Institute at Athens

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Norway Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Norway Index
• Norwegian Monarchs
• Norwegian Orders and Honours
• Norwegian Royal Burial Sites
• Norwegian Royal Christenings
• Norwegian Royal Dates
• Norwegian Royal FAQs
• Norwegian Royal Residences
• Norwegian Royal Trivia
• Norwegian Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Norway
• Profiles of the Norwegian Royal Family

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Photo Credit – Wikipedia

King Olav V of Norway was born Prince Alexander Edward Christian Frederik of Denmark on July 2, 1903, at Appleton House on the Sandringham Estate in the United Kingdom. He was the only child of Prince Carl of Denmark, the future King Haakon VII of Norway, and Princess Maud of Wales. Olav was the paternal grandson of King Frederik VIII of Denmark and Princess Louise of Sweden, and the maternal grandson of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

At the time of his birth, there was little expectation that he would one day become a king. However, this would all change in 1905, when his father was named the new King of Norway, taking the name Haakon VII. Two-year-old Alexander was given the more Norwegian name Olav and became Crown Prince of Norway.

Crown Prince Olav, c.1912. Photo: The Royal House of Norway, Court Archives

Following his elementary education, Olav attended the Norwegian Military Academy, graduating in 1924, and then studied law and economics at Balliol College, Oxford University, graduating in 1926. An avid skier and sailor, Olav represented Norway in the 1928 Olympic Games, winning a Gold Medal in the sailing competition, and remained active in sailing his whole life.

Crown Prince Olav served in the Norwegian Armed Forces, first in the navy and then the army, working to the rank of Colonel by 1936. In 1939, he was appointed Admiral of the Norwegian Royal Navy, and General of the Royal Army. His extensive military training would serve him well in the coming years, as the Nazis began their takeover of Europe.

Olav and his wife and first cousin Princess Märtha of Sweden – photo: Wikipedia

On March 21, 1929, at the Oslo Cathedral in Oslo, Olav married his first cousin Princess Märtha of Sweden.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden 

The couple took up residence at the Skaugum Estate in Asker, Norway, and had three children:

• Princess Ragnhild (1930 – 2012), married Erling Lorentzen, had three children
• Princess Astrid (born 1932), married Johan Ferner, had five children
• King Harald V (born 1937), married Sonja Haraldsen, had two children

Olav, his wife, and children; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

In April 1940, when the Germans invaded Norway, the Norwegian government and the Royal Family were forced from Oslo. Olav’s wife and children went first to Sweden, and then at the invitation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, sailed for the United States where they remained for the duration of the war. King Haakon VII, Crown Prince Olav, and the government established themselves in Elverum, in Eastern Norway. However, it soon became clear that they would be unable to withstand the German forces. On June 7, 1940, King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav sailed for England, where they established a government-in-exile in London. Here they continued to rally and support the Norwegian people. In 1944, Crown Prince Olav was appointed Chief of Defense and took the lead of the Norwegian forces, working with the Allied Forces.

The reunited Norwegian royal family returned to Oslo in June 1945. photo: Wikipedia

On May 13, 1945, just five days after the Germans surrendered, Olav and several government ministers returned to Norway. The King, as well as Olav’s wife and children, returned the following month.

In April 1954, Crown Princess Märtha died of cancer, having been ill for some time. Three years later, Olav became King Olav V of Norway, after his father died on September 21, 1957. Olav, already much loved by the Norwegian people, became even more popular during his reign. He was often found amongst his people – driving around town, stopping in shops, taking the train to the ski slopes unaccompanied – gaining him the nickname “The People’s King”.

King Olav V died of a heart attack on January 17, 1991, at the Royal Lodge (Kongsseteren) in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. He was buried with his wife in the green sarcophagus alongside his parents in the Royal Mausoleum at the Akershus Fortress.

White tomb of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud on the left and green tomb of their son King Olav V and his wife Princess Märtha of Sweden, Crown Princess of Norway on the right; Photo Credit – Susan Flantzer

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Norway Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Norway Index
• Norwegian Monarchs
• Norwegian Orders and Honours
• Norwegian Royal Burial Sites
• Norwegian Royal Christenings
• Norwegian Royal Dates
• Norwegian Royal FAQs
• Norwegian Royal Residences
• Norwegian Royal Trivia
• Norwegian Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Norway
• Profiles of the Norwegian Royal Family

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Credit – The Royal House of Norway

Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg was born on February 12, 1932, at Villa Solbakken in Oslo, Norway. She is the second child of Crown Prince Olav (later King Olav V) and his wife, Princess Märtha of Sweden.  Astrid was christened on March 31, 1932, at the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway. Her godparents were:

• King Haakon VII of Norway (her paternal grandfather)
• Queen Maud of Norway (her paternal grandmother, born Princess Maud of Wales)
• Prince Carl of Sweden (her maternal grandfather)
• Princess Ingeborg of Sweden (her maternal grandmother, born Ingeborg of Denmark)
• Princess Astrid, Duchess of Brabant (her maternal aunt, later Queen Astrid of Belgium, born Astrid of Sweden)
• The Duchess of York (wife of her father’s maternal first cousin, later Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom and The Queen Mother, born The Honorable Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon)
• Princess Thyra of Denmark (paternal great-aunt)
• Prince Eugen of Sweden (maternal great-uncle)
• Prince George of the United Kingdom (her father’s maternal first cousin, later the Duke of Kent)

Astrid had an elder sister and a younger brother:

• Princess Ragnhild (1930 – 2012), married Erling Lorentzen, had three children
• King Harald V (1937), married Sonja Haraldsen, had two children

Her early years were spent at the Skaugum Estate in Asker, just outside of Oslo. The estate had been given to her parents at the time of their marriage. Here, along with her sister and brother, Astrid received a private education.

In 1940, Germany invaded Norway during World War II. The family fled Oslo. Her father and grandfather, King Haakon VII, went on to London, while Crown Princess Märtha and the children returned to her native Sweden. However, their presence was not well received by the Swedish people, and at the invitation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, they sailed to the United States.

The family boarded the USS American Legion on August 15, 1940. The President provided an escort of two US destroyers, and the ship arrived in New York on August 28th. The family settled briefly at the President’s private estate in Hyde Park, NY, before taking up residence at the White House. Soon after, they moved to a house in Bethesda, Maryland, not far from Washington DC. The house was situated on a 105-acre estate known as “Pook’s Hill”. At first, the family leased the estate from the owner, Merle Thorpe, before purchasing it from him. They would remain there for 5 years, until the end of the war in 1945. During this time, Crown Princess Märtha remained active in supporting the Norwegian cause and developed a close relationship with President Roosevelt.

In 1945, the family returned to Norway and was reunited with King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav. Princess Astrid then attended Oxford in the United Kingdom, studying economics and political history. The next few years saw many major events in the Norwegian royal family. Her sister, Ragnhild, married in 1953, and moved to Brazil; their mother, Crown Princess Märtha, died in 1954; their grandfather died in 1957, and their father became King Olav V. As the senior female royal, Princess Astrid served as Norway’s “First Lady”, accompanying her father on most of his official duties.

credit: The Royal Watcher

In 1961, Princess Astrid married Johan Martin Ferner in a small ceremony at the Asker Church. Because of her marriage to a commoner, she lost her style of Royal Highness (becoming just Highness) but remained a very active member of the Norwegian Royal Family. The couple had five children:

• Cathrine Ferner (born 1962), married Arild Johansen, had two children
• Benedikte Ferner (born 1963), married (1) Rolf Woods, no children, divorced (2) Mons Einar Stange, no children
• Alexander Ferner (born 1965), married Margrét Gudmundsdóttir, had two children
• Elisabeth Ferner (born 1969), married Tom Folke Beckmann, had one son
• Carl-Christian Ferner (born 1972), married Anna-Stina Slattum Karlsen,had one daughter

Princess Astrid is still very much involved in the activities of the Norwegian Royal Family, attending most State functions, and serving as Royal Patron to many organizations. In addition, she is the Chairperson of the Crown Princess Märtha Memorial Fund, established in memory of her mother, which provides financial support to social and humanitarian initiatives carried out by non-governmental organizations.

Princess Ragnhild, Princess Astrid, and King Harald V.    Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen / The Royal Court

In 2012, Princess Astrid celebrated her 80th birthday with a private gala at the Royal Palace in Oslo with family and close friends. Sadly, it would the last appearance of her elder sister, Princess Ragnhild, who passed away several months later. On January 24, 2015, Johan Martin Ferner, Princess Astrid’s husband of nearly 53 years, passed away at Oslo University Hospital, aged 87.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2013

King Haakon VII, 1946.  Photo: Ernest Rude (Oslo), The Royal House of Norway

A Danish prince who became King of Norway and one of a few elected monarchs, Prince Carl of Denmark (Christian Frederik Carl Georg Valdemar Axel) was born at the Charlottenlund Palace near Copenhagen, Denmark on August 3, 1872.  He was the second son and the second of the eight children of King Frederik VIII of Denmark and Princess Louise of Sweden.

Prince Carl had seven siblings:

• King Christian X of Denmark (1870 – 1947) married Princess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, had two sons including King Frederik IX of Denmark
• Princess Louise of Denmark (1875 – 1906), married Prince Frederick of Schaumburg-Lippe, had issue
• Prince Harald of Denmark (1876 – 1949), married Princess Helena Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, had issue
• Princess Ingeborg of Denmark (1878 – 1958), Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland, had issue including Märtha Louise, Crown Princess of Norway and Astrid, Queen of the Belgians
• Princess Thyra of Denmark (1880 – 1945), unmarried
• Prince Gustav of Denmark (1887 – 1944), unmarried
• Princess Dagmar of Denmark (1890 – 1961), married Jørgen Castenskiold, had issue

Through his paternal aunts and uncles, Carl was related to many European royals. Among his first cousins were Nicholas II, Emperor of All Russia, King Constantine I of Greece, King George V of the United Kingdom, and his future wife Princess Maud of Wales. who was the daughter of the future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, Carl’s paternal aunt.  Carl’s elder brother King Christian X of Denmark reigned from 1912 – 1947.

Prince Carl grew up with his seven siblings at his parents’ residence Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen and in the family’s summer residence Charlottenlund Palace, north of Copenhagen. He attended the Danish Naval Academy, graduating in 1893 as a second lieutenant in the Royal Danish Navy.  In 1894 he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and remained in service with the Royal Danish Navy.  He participated in several sailing expeditions with the Royal Danish Navy from 1893 until 1905.

Engagement photograph with the bride’s parents, the future Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII (Photo: W&D Downey, London, The Royal Court Photo Archive); Photo Credit – http://www.royalcourt.no

Because Maud’s mother was a Danish Princess, Maud visited her Danish relatives often and was familiar with her first cousin Prince Carl of Denmark, who was three years younger than her. They had played together with their other cousins at family reunions held in Denmark at Fredensborg Castle and Bernstorff Castle. There had been family gossip that Maud and Carl might marry, so it was not all that surprising when Carl proposed to Maud during a family reunion at Fredensborg Castle and Maud accepted. On October 29, 1895, the couple’s engagement was announced. Maud’s mother had concerns about the age difference, but Maud realized Carl would make a good husband for her. She loved the sea and sailing, so a husband who was in the navy would be quite appropriate.

Photo: Gunn & Stuart, London, The Royal House of Norway

On July 22, 1896, Carl and Maud were married in the Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace in London, England with many royal guests attending including Maud’s grandmother Queen Victoria.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Haakon VII and Princess Maud of Wales

Carl and Maud had one son:

• Prince Alexander of Denmark, later King Olav V of Norway (1903 – 1991), married Princess Märtha of Sweden, had three children including King Harald V of Norway

Maud, Carl, and their son; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

In 1905, upon the dissolution of the Union between Sweden and Norway, the Norwegian government began searching for candidates to become King of Norway. Because of his descent from prior Norwegian monarchs and his wife’s British connections, Carl was the overwhelming favorite. Before accepting, Carl insisted that the voices of the Norwegian people be heard regarding retaining a monarchy. Following a referendum with a 79% majority in favor, Prince Carl was formally offered and then accepted the throne. He sailed for Norway, arriving on November 25, 1905, and took the oath as King two days later. He took the name Haakon VII and his two-year-old son was renamed Olav and became Crown Prince of Norway. Maud and Carl were crowned in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on June 22, 1906.

Coronation Day photo; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

In October 1938, Maud came to England for a visit, first staying at Appleton House, the English home her father had given her when she married, and then at a London hotel. While at the hotel, Maud became ill and was taken to a nursing home where abdominal surgery was performed. She survived the surgery, but died on November 20, 1938, six days before her 69th birthday, from heart failure.

During World War II, King Haakon and his son fled to the United Kingdom where he maintained a government in exile. Haakon continued to broadcast speeches to the Norwegian people. Despite pressure from Hitler, Haakon refused the Norwegian Parliament’s request to abdicate. Following the war, King Haakon and his family returned to Norway, exactly five years from the date they had been evacuated to the United Kingdom.

The Royal Family arriving in Norway after the war, with Crown Prince Olav and his family. Photo: Wikipedia

The post-war years saw the marriage of his eldest granddaughter Princess Ragnhild and the death of his daughter-in-law Crown Princess Märtha. In 1955, the King suffered a fall from which he never fully recovered. His son Olav took over much of the King’s responsibilities and took the throne as King Olav V upon his father’s death. Haakon was the grandfather of  King Harald V of Norway.

White tomb of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud on the left and green tomb of their son King Olav V and his wife Princess Märtha of Sweden, Crown Princess of Norway on the right; Photo Credit – Susan Flantzer

On September 21, 1957, King Haakon VII of Norway passed away at the Royal Palace in Oslo. He was 85 years old. He was buried on October 1, 1957, at the Akershus Fortress next to his beloved wife Queen Maud.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Norway Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Norway Index
• Norwegian Monarchs
• Norwegian Orders and Honours
• Norwegian Royal Burial Sites
• Norwegian Royal Christenings
• Norwegian Royal Dates
• Norwegian Royal FAQs
• Norwegian Royal Residences
• Norwegian Royal Trivia
• Norwegian Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Norway
• Profiles of the Norwegian Royal Family