King Harald V of Norway: A life in pictures

This article offers a photographic journey through the life of King Harald V of Norway, beginning with his birth on February 21, 1937. Early images capture him with his elder sisters, Marta and Ragnhild, and later with his parents, Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha, in 1939.

The turmoil of World War II saw the royal family in exile. A poignant photograph from September 1940 shows Crown Princess Märtha with her three children, Astrid, Harald, and Ragnhild, on a beach in the United States, their refuge during Norway's occupation by Nazi Germany.

Following the liberation of Norway, the family returned home. Images from 1945 depict King Haakon, Crown Princess Märtha, Crown Prince Olav, and Prince Harald arriving back in their country. The article continues to track Harald's life, showing him at age 13 with his father, who would become King Olav V in 1957 after the death of King Haakon VII.

Harald's military service is also documented, with a photograph from September 20, 1956. Further images show him as a young man, including a 1959 picture with his father in the Norwegian Parliament. The narrative progresses to his engagement to Sonja Haraldsen in 1968, followed by their wedding in Oslo later that year.

The article touches upon succession laws, noting that while Princess Märtha Louise was the firstborn, Prince Haakon (Harald's son) preceded her in the line of succession due to the Salic law, which was abolished in 1990. It includes a picture from the baptism of Prince Haakon in 1973, featuring Crown Prince Harald and his wife, Sonja. The royal family is shown together during Christmas in 1983, with King Harald (then Crown Prince), Queen Sonja, and their children, Märtha and Haakon. A photo from 1991 marks the 50th birthday of Harald, who was soon to become king, pictured with his son Haakon. The article concludes by noting King Harald V has reigned since 1991 with his wife, Queen Sonja.