The Princess Royal has a special link to the brand new King of
Norway, Haakon VIII.
Princess Anne is one of the godparents of the new monarch.
Anne was invited to be Haakon’s godmother along with his
paternal aunt, Princess Astrid of Norway, and another relation,
Queen Margrethe of Denmark.
Crown Prince Haakon was christened in September 20 1973, soon
after his birth. At the time he was second in line to the throne of
Norway, behind his father, Harald, who was then Crown Prince.
The King of Norway at the time was Olav V who was another of
Haakon’s godparents. Another godfather was King Carl XVI Gustaf
who, at the time, had just become King of Sweden. Prince Carl
Bernadotte was also a godfather to the now King of Norway.
Princess Anne, who was due to get married a few months later,
was unable to attend the actual christening which took place in the
chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Anne would later attend
Haakon’s confirmation.
Haakon Magnus was named after his great grandfather, King Haakon
VII, who had ruled Norway from 1905 until 1957. Magnus is the name
of a famous Norwegian saint.
The Royal Family is close to the Norwegian royals and they are
friends as well as relations. King Haakon VII was married to Maud,
youngest daughter of King Edward VII. Their only child, the future
King Olav, was born in England as Haakon VII didn’t become King of
Norway until 1905 when his son was two. He was offered the throne
after Norway seceded from Sweden. Haakon VII said he would only
accept if it was the will of the Norwegian people and took the
throne after a referendum showed that it was.
Queen Elizabeth II was close to her Norwegian relations and
loved Haakon VII so much that she named her first child after him.
The first King of modern Norway had been born Carl of Denmark and
was known to his relations as ‘uncle Charlie’. Elizabeth called her
first son Charles in his honour and he is now King Charles III
while another namesake of the same royal reigns in Norway as Haakon
VIII.
King Charles sent a heartfelt message following the death of
King Harald who he praised for his duty and service. The two were
very close and it’s understood that King Charles is deeply affected
by the loss.
King Haakon VIII travelled to the Royal Palace of Oslo just
hours after seeing his father slip away as dawn broke on August 28.
The new monarch met the Council of State, including the Prime
Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, and declared that King Harald had died
and that he had taken the throne and will reign as King Haakon
VIII. HIs daughter, the now Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, was
with him.
Norway is now in national mourning for King Harald.
