Last Wednesday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released an unprecedented statement stating that they intended to step back as senior members of The a Royal Family. Nether The Queen or any other member of The Royal Family were consulted on the statement before the couple released it to the world.
Crown Prince Haakon met with the media on Monday to give the Norwegian people an update on the health situation of his father King Harald. When the press received assurances that the king was on the path to recovery from his impediment, the focus turned on to a completely different subject.
His Royal Highness was asked a question on what he thinks about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision the step down as senior royals. The Norwegian Crown Prince said: “I think if everyone should take their time to breathe, and I am sure they will find good solutions.”
The Duke of Sussex has met the Norwegian Royal Family on a number of occasions. He has also been to Norway several times in recent years. Nevertheless, the Norwegian Royal Family were not present at the couple’s wedding in 2018. It is not known whether the Duchess of Sussex has met any of the members of the Norwegian royal family.
There have always been close links between the Norwegian and British royal houses, dating all the way back to the Viking era when Norway’s kings ruled over parts of what is today Britain. Fortunately, in modern times, the relationship has been somewhat more peaceful than it was 1000 years ago. The Norwegian and British families are closely related. Norway’s first Queen after the union resolution with Sweden in 1905, Queen Maud, was the daughter of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.
After moving to Norway, Queen Maud maintained a strong connection to the country of her birth and usually visited over the winter months. These bonds were also important when King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav fled to London during World War II. King Olav also had strong ties to Britain. He was born at Appleton House and studied in Oxford. King Harald of Norway and Queen Elizabeth are second cousins.
