King Harald of Norway sends Christmas message

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Norway’s popular monarch, King Harald, celebrates his 85th birthday today. The day of celebration comes as Harald takes time away from his royal duties, after a period of sickness. The royal household announced in late January that he will be taking time off with cold symptoms and that tests and medical examinations would be carried out. The announcement came shortly after Harald had met the country’s foreign minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

Though she had tested negative for COVID-19 before their meeting, she tested positive for the virus shortly after.

His sick leave was extended on February 3, with his eldest son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, temporarily taking over duties in the meantime.

Like the UK’s own Queen Elizabeth II, it was decided that the elderly monarch should take some time out to look after their health.

The Norwegian monarch has had a number of battles with his health in recent years, including in 2020, when he underwent an operation to replace the artificial heart valve he was given 15 years prior.

Shortly before his heart surgery, Harald was hospitalised for a short time in September 2020, due to shortness of breath which was not Covid-related.

That same year, he addressed the future of the monarchy in a book called ‘Kongen forteller’ or ‘The King tells’.

Speaking of the heir apparent, he wrote: “He has become a friend and co-worker.

“He asks me for advice and I get advice from him.

“The relationship has become closer and closer. He is a wise guy.

“It will go well with him when the time comes. It gives a good feeling to know that.”

He addressed his own ascension to the throne, giving a clear indication of just how much he trusts his eldest son.

He said: “I think my father was more worried than I am.

“I am so lucky that it is Crown Prince Haakon who will be Norway’s future.”

Harald automatically succeeded his father at the throne on January 17, 1991 when he passed away.

Incredibly, he became the first Norwegian-born monarch since Olav IV died in 1387 — a gap of 604 years.

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His reign has been famed for modernising and reforming the Norwegian Royal Family.

Both his daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and late son-in-law, Ari Behn, were accepted into the Norwegian Royal Family as commoners, which was interpreted as a sign of modernisation and adjustment.

Harald’s duties as head of state are ceremonial, and he holds no political power.

Unlike here in the UK, Harald does not hold the power to dissolve Parliament, though he does still hold weekly meetings with the Prime Minister and formally opens parliament each year.

Crown Prince Haakon has been involved in Norwegian royal affairs since his father ascended to the throne, something Harald addressed in his book.

He wrote: “[Haakon] has been with me all my time as King and has been involved all the time.

“Then he can take what he wants with him, and change what he wants when I am no longer here.”

Haakon’s eventual ascension to the throne will be one tinged with sadness as, much like Prince Charles, he will be forced to accept the responsibility straight after the death of his parent.

Any prospect of him becoming King beforehand seems unlikely, since the Norwegian monarchy has never experienced an abdication.

The idea of a sovereign giving up his or her duties is widely frowned upon among the royals and wider Norwegian society.

Haakon is, however, no stranger to the duties that come with being the monarch.

He served as regent from November 2003 until April 2004, while his father was treated for cancer and the subsequent recovery period.

Likewise, he served as regent for a short spell the following year as Harald recovered from heart surgery. This period ended on June 7, 2005.

Haakon’s daughter, Princess Ingird Alexandra of Norway, is second in line to the throne, and son Prince Sverre Magnus, is third in line.

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