Before becoming King of Norway, Harald challenged court rules by choosing Sonja Haraldsen, the daughter of a businessman, as the woman with whom he wanted to share his life.
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The couple met at a party, when Harald still held the title of crown prince. Instead of committing his life to a member of the aristocracy or a European royal family, as tradition required, he decided to marry a commoner.
This choice met with opposition and raised serious concerns about the future of the monarchy. Harald’s biography, published on the official website of the Norwegian royal family, states that his decision sparked “considerable debate,” while some voices even predicted the fall of the monarchy.
Nevertheless, Harald did not give up on Sonja. He had to wait nine years until his father, King Olav V, finally gave his approval for the marriage.
The culmination of their love story came on August 29, 1968, when Harald and Sonja held their wedding ceremony at Oslo Cathedral. The event became an important turning point for the Norwegian monarchy.
Harald’s determination had consequences that extended beyond the couple’s own lives. The marriage created a precedent within the royal family, later paving the way for their two children to choose partners from outside royal families.
A decision initially considered a clash with tradition became a relationship that lasted for decades and changed how the Norwegian royal court handled the marriages of subsequent generations.
