Olav V | |||||
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King of Norway | |||||
Reign | 21 September 1957 – 17 January 1991 | ||||
Benediction | 22 June 1958 | ||||
Predecessor | Haakon VII | ||||
Successor | Harald V | ||||
Prime Ministers | |||||
Born |
Sandringham House, Norfolk, United Kingdom |
2 July 1903||||
Died | 17 January 1991 Kongsseteren, Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway |
(aged 87)||||
Burial | 30 January 1991 Akershus Castle, Oslo, Norway |
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Spouse | Princess Märtha of Sweden | ||||
Issue |
Princess Ragnhild Princess Astrid Harald V of Norway |
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House | Glücksburg | ||||
Father | Haakon VII of Norway | ||||
Mother | Maud of Wales |
Full name | |
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Olav, né Alexander Edward Christian Frederik |
Medal record | ||
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Sailing | ||
Representing Norway | ||
Olympic Games | ||
1928 Amsterdam | 6 m mixed | |
5.5 Metre World Championships | ||
1971 Seawanhaka | 5.5m | |
1976 Hankø | 5.5m |
Styles of King Olav V of Norway |
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Reference style | His Majesty |
Spoken style | Your Majesty |
Alternative style | Sir |
Olav V (born Alexander Edward Christian Frederik; 2 July 1903 – 17 January 1991) was King of Norway from 1957 until his death.
Olav was the only child of Haakon VII and Maud of Wales. He became heir apparent to the Norwegian throne when his father was elected King of Norway in 1905. He was the first heir to the Norwegian throne to be brought up in Norway since Olav IV, and his parents made sure he was given as Norwegian an upbringing as possible. In preparation for his future role, he attended both civilian and military schools. In 1929, he married his first cousin Princess Märtha of Sweden. During World War II his leadership was much appreciated and he was appointed Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944. At his death in 1991, he was the last surviving grandchild of Edward VII of the United Kingdom and Alexandra of Denmark.
Due to his considerate, down-to-earth style, King Olav was immensely popular, resulting in the nickname Folkekongen ("The People's King"). In a 2005 poll by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Olav was voted "Norwegian of the century".
Olav was a Danish prince born in Appleton House on the royal Sandringham Estate, Flitcham, United Kingdom. He was named Alexander Edward Christian Frederik. His parents were Prince Carl, second son of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark (later King Frederick VIII), and Princess Maud, youngest daughter of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom who was the eldest son of Britain's Queen Victoria. When his father was elected king of Norway, he took the Norwegian name Haakon VII, and on the day he was inaugurated, he gave his son the Norwegian name Olav.