Norwegian Royal House marks King Harald and Queen Sonja's wedding anniversary after his death
Translated from Danish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- The Norwegian Royal House marked the 58th wedding anniversary of the late King Harald and Queen Sonja with a poignant social media post.
- The post featured seven images of the couple spanning 60 years and included the song "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton.
- King Harald died at age 89, and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, has become the new King, set to deliver a memorial speech for his father.
On Saturday, the Norwegian Royal House shared a touching tribute on social media, marking what would have been the 58th wedding anniversary of the late King Harald and Queen Sonja. King Harald passed away on Friday at the age of 89, making the anniversary a somber occasion for reflection.
The Royal House's post included seven photographs showcasing the couple throughout their 60-year relationship, highlighting their enduring bond. The accompanying soundtrack was Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," adding a layer of emotional resonance to the visual tribute.
Crown Prince Harald married the commoner Sonja Haraldsen on August 29, 1968, a union that was not without its challenges. As heir to the throne, Harald was expected to marry into European royalty, and his choice to wed the daughter of a merchant was met with initial reservations from his family and the public. The couple kept their relationship private for years before publicly announcing it.
Following King Harald's death, his 53-year-old son, Haakon, has become the new King. Like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, the new King Haakon has chosen the motto "Alt for Norge" (All for Norway). He is scheduled to deliver a memorial speech for his father on Saturday evening, mirroring a tradition set by King Harald himself when his own father passed away 35 years ago.
Through a long life, they stood by each other's side. Today, we also remember their love through 60 years.
Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.