Harald V King of Norway Date of Birth: 21.02.1937 Country: Norway

1. Biography of Harald V, King of Norway
2. World War II
3. Education and Military Service
4. Marriage and Reign
5. Biography of Queen Sonja
6. Children and Grandchildren
7. Succession

Biography of Harald V, King of Norway

Harald V, the King of Norway, was born on February 21, 1937, at the Skaugum estate near Oslo. He was the only son of Crown Prince Olav (later King Olav V) and Crown Princess Marta. Harald was the first prince to be born in Norway in the last 567 years. He had two older sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid.

World War II

Harald's childhood in Norway was peaceful until the outbreak of World War II. When Nazi troops invaded Norway on April 9, 1940, Harald, along with his mother and sisters, fled to Sweden and spent the rest of the war in the United States. He returned to Norway in 1945 after the war ended.

Education and Military Service

After completing his schooling, Prince Harald attended the Norwegian Cavalry Academy and then went on to the Military Academy in 1959. He became Crown Prince on September 21, 1957, when his father ascended to the throne. Following his mandatory military service, the Crown Prince studied at the University of Oxford from 1960 to 1962, focusing on social sciences, history, and economics.

Marriage and Reign

On August 29, 1968, Crown Prince Harald married Sonja Haraldsen from the Vinderen district of Oslo. The couple had to wait for 9 years to receive permission to marry as Sonja came from a non-royal background. After consultations with the Norwegian Parliament, parliamentary leaders, and the Government, King Olav V allowed the Crown Prince to marry Sonja. Harald ascended to the throne on January 17, 1991, following the death of his father.

Biography of Queen Sonja

Queen Sonja was born on July 4, 1937, in Oslo. She completed her schooling in 1954 and pursued a career as a clothing designer. Later, she attended École Professionnelle de Jeunes Filles in Lausanne, Switzerland, and returned to Norway to study French and English languages and art history at the University of Oslo.

Children and Grandchildren

Crown Prince Haakon, the eldest son of King Harald and Queen Sonja, was born on July 20, 1973. He became the Crown Prince when his father ascended to the throne. Haakon married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby on August 25, 2001, and they have two children: Princess Ingrid Alexandra, born on January 21, 2004, and Prince Sverre Magnus.

Princess Märtha Louise, King Harald's eldest daughter, was born on September 22, 1971. She married writer Ari Behn on May 24, 2002, and they have a daughter, Maud Angelica Behn, born on April 29, 2003.

Succession

Princess Ingrid Alexandra, the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was born on January 21, 2004. She is second in line to the Norwegian throne. Princess Märtha Louise's son, Maud Angelica Behn, is currently fourth in line to the throne.

King Harald V has been a dedicated monarch, representing Norway both domestically and internationally. He has played a significant role in modernizing the Norwegian monarchy while preserving its traditions and historical significance.