Crown Prince Haakon of Norway celebrates his 48th birthday today. It an official flag day all over Norway to mark the event, but the Crown Prince himself will hold a private celebration. Usually the day is celebrated at the Royal Family’s country house at Mågerø in Tjøme, where the whole family are gathered for a private birthday celebration. This year the day is marked on the royal yacht “KS Norge”, where the Norwegian royal family are currently spending their holiday, touring Northern Norway.
The Norwegian Royal Yacht is one of the world’s two remaining royal yachts. The other is the Danish Royal Yacht, Dannebrog. The Royal Yacht was a gift from the people of Norway to King Haakon VII in 1947, purchased following a nationwide collection. The ship is owned by King Harald but is manned and maintained by the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Royal birthdays in Norway are celebrated the same way as for most Norwegians and the Crown Prince will spend the day quietly.
Joining the celebrations will be his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, as well as his parents, King Harald and Queen Sonja. Haakon’s niece, Maud Angelica Behn, is also with the family.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is the only son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and heir apparent to the throne of Norway. He was born on July 20th 1973. He has an older sister, Princess Märtha Louise. In accordance with Norway’s agnatic primogeniture succession, Haakon became Crown Prince when his father ascended the throne on 17 January 1991 upon the death of his grandfather Olav V.
The Skaugum Estate, situated in the area of Semsvannet, is the official residence of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
