This past weekend two kings met under a common interest. His Majesty King Harald of Norway and His Majesty King Felipe of Spain took part in the sailing regatta “Copa del Rey” in Mallorca, Spain. A total of 14 boats from eight nations, Germany, Spain, Austria, England, Italy, Norway, Russia and Sweden participated in the Club Swan50 class when the Copa Del Rey regatta started on 27 July.
Two of the boats are Norwegian, Fram XVIII and Petter Murens Proxflyer, who made their international debut in this regatta. The Norwegian monarch sailed this year with the Royal Norwegian yacht club in the boat Fram XVIII. King Harald received competition from King Felipe VI of Spain, who was the skipper of the Spanish ship Aifos 500.
It was the Norwegian Royal Family’s royal yacht “KS Norge” who served as the base and home for King Harald during his participation in the prestigious Copa del Rey sailing competition in Mallorca. It is not certain whether any other members of the Norwegian Royal Family were present. We do know that the Norwegian Crown Prince Family vacationed on the island of Ibiza earlier this summer.
King Harald is currently on a private vacation, and the Royal Court did not inform the public that King Harald would attend the regatta. However, it was expected that he would participate. King Harald is back at work in Norway this week, and on Friday, he will lead the weekly Council of State from the Royal Palace in Oslo.
Sports are significant to His Majesty King Harald, especially sailing. Throughout his life, the King has been an active athlete and been pleased to stay at sea and in nature. Even at the age of more than 80 years, His Majesty is a keen sailor and has participated with Norway’s National Sailing Team during three Olympic games. King Harald has taken part in a series of World Championships and became World Champion in 1987 in the one-ton class. He also has several medals from other competitions in sailing.
