King Olav V of Norway expected his only son and heir, Crown Prince Harald, to marry for dynastic purposes. Harald's two older sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid, married Norwegian commoners and lost their title, Princess of Norway, and the style of Royal Highness.
If Harald did not marry another royal, he too would lose his title and his right to the throne. Until 1990, succession to the Norwegian throne was limited to males only, and Harald was the only male in line.
During the early 1960s, numerous princesses were rumored to be Harald's choice, including Princess Sophie and Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, Princess Tatiana Radziwill, and Princess Alexandra of Kent. You can be sure Alexandra's mother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, pushed hard for a romance.
Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen were met through mutual friends at a party in 1959. They dated in secret for nine years. King Olav was not originally pleased with Harald's girlfriend, but the young Crown Prince held his ground, determined to marry the woman he loved. He told his father if he did not have his permission to marry Sonja, he would marry no one, leaving the Norwegian throne without future heirs.
The King sought advice from the Norwegian government, a majority of which sided with Crown Prince Harald. Only after hearing what government officials had to say did King Olav V consent to Harald's marriage.
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The couple's engagement was announced on March 19, 1968, and their wedding took place on August 29th at Oslo Cathedral.
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And with every fairy tale, Harald and Sonja lived happily ever after. A true partnership at home and on the throne.
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