Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011
THEN On Sept. 21, 1957, Crown Prince Olav ascends to the throne of Norway and becomes King Olav V upon the death of his father, King Haakon VII. King Olav V reigns for 33 years and is cherished and respected as Norway’s king—often referred to as the “People’s King.” Olav V is born at Appleton House in Norfolk, England, on July 2, 1903. During World War II—while in exile in London—the Norwegian government appoints Crown Prince Olav chief of defense. After taking over command of the Norwegian armed forces, he cooperated with the Allied Forces. On May 13, 1945, the crown prince and five government ministers return to a liberated Norway with cheering crowds lining the procession route. During his reign, King Olav V increasingly focuses on social values in his public addresses. His open criticism of discrimination against immigrants in his annual New Year’s Eve speech in 1982 was the topic of widespread public debate. Upon the death of Olav V, his son, Prince Harold V, ascends to the throne on Jan. 17, 1991. NOW Today, King Harold V of Norway is in his 20th year as king. He was born on Feb. 21, 1937 at his parents’ home, the country estate of Skaugum, near Oslo. Although the duties of the Norwegian monarchs have been primarily ceremonial since introduction of a parliamentary system of governance in 1884, King Harold V played a very important role in unifying and consoling the people of Norway following last July’s shooting spree and bombing in the city of Oslo that left 77 dead. The killing spree assailant was an anti-immigration, radical and dressed as a police officer during the shooting attack. During a ceremony for the victims, King Harold said, “I maintain a belief that freedom is stronger than fear.” He continued saying, “It is good to be together at this time. ... As a father, grandfather, and spouse I can only begin to sense some of the pain you feel. As king of the nation I feel for every one of you.”
