King Harald V: Gifted yachtsman steered the good ship Norway with guile
Harald V was instilled with a strong sense of purpose, a single-mindedness that manifested throughout his reign. The King of Norway since 1991, who has died aged 89, was known for his part in the historic Oslo Accords of 1993. As a prince determined to marry Sonja, a “commoner” , he provoked the consternation of his father Olav V and traditionalist Norwegians, but this resistance ultimately…
Harald V, who was Norway's king from 1991 until his death in 2024 at the age of 89, was celebrated for his expertise in sailing. Born in 1937, he was the first prince born in Norway in 567 years and was the youngest of Olav and Martha’s three children, and their sole son. He ascended to the throne in 1991 after his father’s passing, adopting the motto "We give our all for Norway." His reign was characterized by his dedication to the nation.
Prior to his ascension, he was a devoted Crown Prince Regent, filling in for his ill father, King Olav, from 1990 until his death in 1991. As a young prince, Harald was known for his ambition to marry Sonja, a commoner, which initially faced opposition from his father and traditional Norwegian society. However, he persevered and married her in 1968 after a long courtship.
Throughout his life, Harald demonstrated a strong sense of national pride and commitment to unity. He believed that "Norway is you, Norway is us," emphasizing the importance of the Norwegian people. Throughout his reign, he was known to have strong ties with the Middle East, particularly Israel and Jordan. In 2014, he received Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was met by protesters displaying concerns over Israel's policies in the occupied West Bank.
Despite this, the two leaders laid wreaths memorializing Norwegians who perished during World War II. Harald also attended a lecture by Peres at the Norwegian Nobel Institute, where Peres was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize alongside former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat for their efforts in Middle East peace.
On his state visit to Jordan in 2020, King Harald and Queen Sonja enjoyed a warm welcome, engaging in various activities including an official meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace and visiting historic Petra. During the trip, they emphasized the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and Jordan, as well as the 25th anniversary of Norway's embassy in Amman.
They visited a girls' school to promote sport and outdoor activities among Syrian refugee children, a cause close to the king's heart. Despite his declining health, Harald steadfastly refused to abdicate, serving as a beacon of hope and unity for his people.
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