Harald V of Norway Family Tree: The Story Behind Norway's Modern King

Harald V, born 21 February 1937 at Skaugum, Asker, Norway, has been King of Norway since 17 January 1991. He is the first Norwegian monarch born in Norway in 567 years (since Olav IV in 1370). From the Norwegian branch of the House of Glücksburg.

The Family's Roots: The Norwegian Glücksburgs

The Norwegian royal house separated from Denmark in 1905 when Norway voted for independence and selected the Danish prince Carl (Christian IX's grandson) as King Haakon VII. The house is officially called the House of Glücksburg.

His Parents

Father: King Olav V of Norway (1903–1991) — King of Norway 1957–1991; born Prince Alexander of Denmark; popular "people's king" who took public transport during the 1973 oil crisis.

Mother: Princess Märtha of Sweden (1901–1954) — Crown Princess of Norway; died of cancer before Olav became King; spent the WWII years (1940–45) in exile in the United States at the White House (close friend of FDR — the subject of the TV series Atlantic Crossing).

His Sisters

Harald has two elder sisters:

Princess Ragnhild, Mrs Lorentzen (1930–2012) — elder sister.

Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, born 12 February 1932 — middle sister.

His Wife: Queen Sonja

Sonja Haraldsen, born 4 July 1937 — Norwegian commoner; daughter of a Christiania (Oslo) shopkeeper. Sonja and Harald met in 1959; dated secretly for 9 years; King Olav initially opposed the marriage (commoner). Harald finally told his father he would not marry anyone else. Married 29 August 1968 at Oslo Cathedral.

Their Children

Princess Märtha Louise, born 22 September 1971 — elder daughter; married author Ari Behn 2002, divorced 2017 (Behn died by suicide 2019); married American spiritualist Durek Verrett 2024. Three daughters with Behn.

Crown Prince Haakon, Duke of Borg, born 20 July 1973 — heir apparent; will be the next King of Norway. Married commoner Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in 2001. Two children: Princess Ingrid Alexandra (b. 2004) — future Queen; Prince Sverre Magnus (b. 2005).

The Norwegian Glücksburg Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Norwegian House of Glücksburg from 1905.

Father: King Olav V (1903–1991) — King of Norway 1957–91.

Mother: Crown Princess Märtha of Sweden (1901–1954).

Sisters: Princess Ragnhild (1930–2012); Princess Astrid (b. 12 February 1932).

Wife: Queen Sonja (b. 4 July 1937; commoner; m. 29 August 1968).

Children: Princess Märtha Louise (b. 22 September 1971); Crown Prince Haakon (b. 20 July 1973).

Grandchildren: Through Märtha Louise — Maud, Leah, Emma (with Ari Behn). Through Haakon — Princess Ingrid Alexandra (b. 21 January 2004), future Queen of Norway; Prince Sverre Magnus (b. 3 December 2005).

Step-grandchild: Marius Borg Høiby (b. 1997) — Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son from a prior relationship.

King Harald V:

  • Born 21 February 1937, Skaugum
  • WWII (1940–45): exile in the United States (Washington D.C.) — childhood friend of FDR's family
  • University of Oslo (briefly); Balliol College, Oxford (Economics, History, Politics 1960–62)
  • Norwegian Royal Military Academy
  • Olympic sailing: 1964 (Tokyo); 1968 (Mexico City); 1972 (Munich) — three Olympic appearances; World Sailing Champion 1987 (One Ton Cup); European Champion 2005
  • Crown Prince: until 17 January 1991
  • King of Norway: from 17 January 1991
  • 2020: hospitalised with COVID-19-like illness; later replaced his heart valve
  • 2024: temporarily ceded duties multiple times due to age and illness
  • Reigning Glücksburg monarch alongside cousin Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and his cousin Margrethe II of Denmark (now Frederik X)

What the Norwegian Glücksburg Family Story Teaches Us

A King-father who took public transport. A mother who spent WWII in exile at the White House. Two elder sisters. A commoner wife after 9 years of waiting for the King's blessing. Two children — one a future King, one married twice (the second to a high-profile American spiritualist).

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Harald V story carries the same lesson. Royal commoner marriages sometimes require waiting. The 9-year wait for Sonja's marriage is on the Norwegian family record alongside the 1991 coronation. Write down which family marriages had to overcome which obstacles.

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