Norway's 'Grandfather King': Harald V, a unifying monarch through war and scandal

King Harald V, who reigned over Norway with the motto "Everything for Norway," is leaving the throne as the first Norwegian-born prince in 567 years. His nearly 33-year reign saw the nation through significant historical moments, from wartime exile to modern-day challenges.

Born in 1937, Harald's early life was dramatically shaped by the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940. He and his mother, Crown Princess Märtha, fled to Sweden and then the United States, while his father and grandfather remained in London with the government-in-exile. The family's triumphant return to Oslo in 1945, met by a jubilant populace, marked a moment of national resilience.

Beyond his royal duties, Harald was a distinguished sailor, representing Norway in three Olympic Games. He married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968, a union that faced initial opposition due to her non-royal background. Together, they had two children, Princess Märtha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon.

The latter years of Harald's reign were marred by scandals involving his family. These included controversies surrounding his daughter Märtha Louise's relationship with a self-proclaimed shaman and his grandson Marius Borg Høiby's legal troubles. More recently, Crown Princess Mette-Marit faced public scrutiny over her past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. These events significantly eroded public trust in the monarchy, though support for King Harald himself remained strong.

Despite the turbulent final years, King Harald V is remembered as a unifying figure who navigated Norway through decades of change, embodying a sense of national identity and continuity.

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Sometimes life is simply very difficult.