SOVEREIGN HUMOUR
IS THIS THE MOST FUN ROYAL FAMILY IN THE WORLD?
If you’re going to dedicate your life to duty, you might as well have fun while you’re at it. That certainly seems to be the motto of the Norwegian royal family, who last week celebrated King Harald and Queen Sonja’s joint 80th birthday bash. A who’s who of the party-loving dynasty:
THE JOLLY KING: KING HARALD, 80
Norway’s bumptious monarch combines Queen Elizabeth’s sense of duty with a touch of Prince Philip’s humour. In a recent interview discussing a visit to Antarctica, he cracked a joke about a research station there called Troll, saying it was named after his wife. But he can do serious, too, recently giving a stirring speech in support of gay freedom and religious tolerance. Apart from being a much-liked monarch, Harald is an top sailor, representing Norway at the Olympics three times.
HIS DEVOTED QUEEN: QUEEN SONJA, 80
There was much sucking of teeth when Harald announced his intention to marry Sonja back in the ’60s. The trouble was that she was — gasp! — a commoner. But Harald was determined. Next year they celebrate 50 years of marriage, and at 80, Sonja is as popular as Harald — attractive, cheerful, and always by his side. Her many interests include music, art, nature, conservation and photography, and she has trekked over much of Norway. The couple have two children: the Crown Prince and Princess Martha Louise.
THE PRANKSTER: CROWN PRINCE HAAKON, 43
Tall, dark and handsome, Norway’s heir to the throne only needs to hop on a polo pony to rival princes Andrew and Harry in the swoon stakes. Though not, in fact, a horsey type, he has however beaten Harry to become top royal prankster. When he’s not working as a UN Goodwill Ambassador or patronizing various arts and music organizations, he amuses himself by plunging into ice-cold Norwegian seas and paddleboarding.
HIS SCANDALOUS WIFE: CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT, 43
The glamorous wife of the Crown Prince has won over her detractors after a rocky introduction to royal life. As a single mother and former waitress who once mixed in racy circles, Mette-Marit was not an obvious contender for future queen of Norway. But since the marriage in 2001, all suggestions she was not right for the job have melted away, thanks to her championing of humanitarian projects and tireless work on Royal engagements. To defy those who point to her poor academic record, she recently returned to studying, gaining a master’s degree in executive management.
THE ILLEGITIMATE SURFER DUDE: MARIUS BORG HOIBY, 20
Princess Mette-Marit’s heartthrob son by another man has never had a royal title, but is still a close member of the family. Earlier this year he announced he had chosen not to perform royal duties, moving instead to Los Angeles, where he fits in a business around his surfing. Other interests include skateboarding, skiing and quite possibly Linn Helena Nilsen, a blond and beautiful heiress he is thought to be dating.
THE CHEEKY FACE-PULLER: PRINCE SVERRE MAGNUS, 11
Every royal family has one — the bored child who can’t resist pulling a face during a balcony lineup. Sverre, the King’s oldest grandson and only son of Crown Prince Haakon, amused everyone last week by pulling The Dab. That, in case you’re wondering, is a dance move popular with sports stars involving a ’70s-style raising of the arms and tilting of the head.
THE ALMOST-QUEEN: HER HIGHNESS PRINCESS ASTRID, 85
Under new succession laws, introduced in 1990, the eldest child of a Norwegian monarch succeeds the throne regardless of gender. But those rules didn’t apply when King Harald was born, which is why his two elder sisters, Princess Agnhild and Princess Astrid, were passed over. Agnhild died in 2012, having lived for 40 years in semi-exile in Brazil after marrying a commoner. Princess Astrid also married a commoner. After studying at Oxford for two years, she threw herself into royal life, representing the king and serving as patron of various charities, especially those for women.