Crown Prince of Norway receives Honorary Degree from Northumbria University

Northumbria University in Newcastle has conferred an Honorary Degree on His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince of Norway. Crown Prince Haakon was presented with the Doctor of Civil Law degree at the Royal Palace in Oslo by Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, and Chris Sayers, Chair of the Board of Governors for Northumbria.

With the Honorary Degree Northumbria University recognises Crown Prince Haakon’s contribution to military and civilian life in Norway and the award reflects Northumbria’s strong links with Norway and with Newcastle. Crown Prince Haakon follows in his mother’s footsteps as Queen Sonja was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law by Northumbria in 1996.

Professor Wathey said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to recognise the long-standing connection between Prince Haakon’s and his family and Northumbria University and its work, particularly in the arts, culture and sport. The University is honoured by this award, which is also an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural links we have established with Norway over the years, with the support and encouragement of the Royal Family. You only have to see the row of bronze and granite sculptures on our campus by the distinguished Norwegian artist Nicolaus Widerberg, or speak with the students we have studying here from Norway, to appreciate this in full.”

Crown Prince Haakon is 42 years old and married to Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The couple have two children, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra and His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus. Crown Prince Haakon is also stepfather to Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby. He has a great interest in cultural matters and is also one of the founders of Global Dignity, together with Pekka Himanen and John Hope Bryant. Global Dignity is an organisation that promotes the universal right to every human being to lead a dignified life.