European RoyalsNorway

Haakon, thirty years as heir

Though King Harald and Queen Sonja are marking 30 years on the throne this year, there’s another anniversary in Norway to commemorate as well: Crown Prince Haakon’s 30 years as the heir apparent to the throne. Born on 20 July 1973, Haakon has been destined for the Norwegian throne since birth, as absolute primogeniture had not yet taken effect in Norway until 1990 (otherwise, his older…
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European RoyalsNorway

King Harald V of Norway: The Reformer King

Harald became King of Norway in January 1991 upon the death of his father and was consecrated alongside his wife, Queen Sonja, (who became the first Norwegian queen to be born a commoner) later that year. As mentioned in another article, Harald’s reign has been marked…
European RoyalsNorway

The modern monarchs of Norway

As King Harald marks his 30th year on the Norwegian throne, we’re looking back at the three very modern monarchs of Norway since the dissolution of Sweden and Norway in 1905 and the independence of a Norwegian monarchy. King Haakon VII The very first modern monarch of Norway was elected in a plebiscite by the newly-independent people of his soon-to-be country in November 1905, though…
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European RoyalsNorway

The accession of King Harald V

In Norway, monarchs aren’t crowned, they’re consecrated. King Haakon VII was the last king to be crowned, while his heirs, Olav and Harald, have been consecrated in ceremonies at Nidaros Cathedral in Oslo. Prior to the consecration, King Harald swore an oath at the…
Norway

The death of King Olav V

On 17 January 1991, King Olav of Norway suffered a fatal heart attack, following nearly a year of health problems, and passed away at the age of 87. He was succeeded by his son, Harald, who marks 30 years on the Norwegian throne today. Though he’d been born Prince…
Norway

Thirty years ago: King Olav dies and King Harald accedes to the throne

On this day, 17 January, it is exactly 30 years since King Olav V died and his son took over as Norway’s new monarch. On the evening of 17 January 1991, at 10.20pm, King Olav V died at the royal cabin, Kongsseteren, in the outskirts of the capital, Oslo. Olav was King of Norway from the time he took over from his father, King Haakon VII, on 21 September 1957 until his death on 17 January…
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European RoyalsHistoryNorway

Birthplace of a king: Skaugum Estate

Skaugum Estate is a farmhouse that lies just outside Oslo, Norway, and it is currently the home of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, though it has a storied history that dates back to the Middle Ages and is known as the birthplace of King Harald, in…