Harald V | |
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King of Norway | |
Reign | 17 January 1991 – present |
Benediction | 23 June 1991 |
Predecessor | Olav V |
Heir apparent | Haakon |
Prime Ministers | |
Born |
Skaugum, Akershus, Norway |
21 February 1937
Spouse | Sonja Haraldsen (m. 1968) |
Issue Detail |
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway |
House | Glücksburg |
Father | Olav V of Norway |
Mother | Princess Märtha of Sweden |
Signature |
Medal record | ||
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Sailing | ||
World Championships | ||
1987 World Championship | Sailing | |
1982 World Championship | Sailing | |
1988 World Championship | Sailing | |
European Championships | ||
2005 European Championship | Sailing |
Harald V (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈhɑrːɑɫ]; born 21 February 1937) is the King of Norway, having ascended the throne following the death of his father on 17 January 1991.
Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He was second in the line of succession at the time of his birth, behind his father. In 1940, as a result of the German occupation during World War II, the royal family went into exile. Harald spent part of his childhood in Sweden and the United States. He returned to Norway in 1945, and subsequently studied for periods at the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Military Academy and Balliol College, Oxford.
In 1957, following the death of his grandfather, Haakon VII, Harald became crown prince. A keen sportsman, he represented Norway in sailing at the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic Games, and later became patron of World Sailing. Harald married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968, their relationship having initially being controversial due to her status as a commoner. The couple had two children, Märtha and Haakon. Harald succeeded his father as king in 1991, with Haakon becoming his heir apparent.