Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway


Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway is the only son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and heir apparent to the throne of Norway.
In 2001, Haakon married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby with whom he has two children. He has an older sister, Princess Märtha Louise. In accordance with Norway's agnatic primogeniture succession, Haakon became crown prince when his father ascended the throne on 17 January 1991 upon the death of his grandfather Olav V.
The Skaugum Estate, situated in the area of Semsvannet, is the official residence of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Family and early life

Haakon was born in 20 July 1973 at The National Hospital in St. Hanshaugen, Oslo, the only son and younger child of Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Sonja. His father was the son of the reigning Norwegian monarch, King Olav V. At birth he was named Haakon Magnus, and it was stressed in the announcement that he would go by the name Haakon. He was named in honor of his paternal great-grandfather, King Haakon VII, and his maternal uncle Haakon Haraldsen. When Haakon was only 17, his grandfather Olav died on 17 January 1991, leading to the ascension of his father as King Harald V and himself as crown prince.
Haakon has one sibling, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. In 1990, the Norwegian constitution was altered, granting absolute primogeniture to the Norwegian throne, meaning that the eldest child, regardless of gender, takes precedence in the line of succession. This was not, however, done retroactively, meaning that Haakon continues to take precedence over his older sister.

Education and military

Haakon has served in the Royal Norwegian Navy, where he undertook his first-level officer's education at the Norwegian Naval Academy. This was then followed with a year aboard missile torpedo boats and other vessels. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1999. Haakon later attended lectures at the University of Oslo and took the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' civil servant introductory course in 2001. He completed his education in 2003 at the London School of Economics, where he was awarded an MSc in development studies, specializing in international trade and Africa.
As of 15 November 2013, in the Royal Norwegian Navy his officer rank is Admiral, and in the Norwegian Army and the Royal Norwegian Air Force his rank is General.

Marriage and children

Haakon married a commoner and single mother Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby on 25 August 2001, at Oslo Cathedral. Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark was the best man. When the engagement between Crown Prince Haakon and Høiby was announced, many Norwegians felt that his choice of wife was inappropriate. This was primarily about her being a single mother, but information concerning her involvement in the rave scene in Oslo, which included a significant drug-subculture, also added to the controversy. In addition, the father of her child was convicted of drug-related offences. In a heartfelt press conference before the wedding the bride explained her past, saying among other things that her youthful rebelliousness might have been stronger than most young people. The issue of Mette-Marit's past is an ongoing discussion in Norwegian public discourse.
The couple have two children together: Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway and Prince Sverre Magnus. Haakon is also the stepfather to Mette-Marit's son Marius Borg Høiby.

Activities

From 25 November 2003 to 12 April 2004, Haakon was regent during the King's treatment for cancer and the subsequent convalescence period. Likewise, Haakon was Regent from 29 March 2005 until the King had fully recovered from the heart surgery he underwent on 1 April. This period ended on 7 June.
In addition to his official duties, Haakon has a strong interest in cultural matters. He also has given patronage to a number of organisations. In 2006, Haakon established Global Dignity with Pekka Himanen and John Hope Bryant. Global Dignity is an independent, non-political organization that promotes the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life. Members of the organization include entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson and Sandro Salsano.

Personal interests

Haakon was involved in several sports and seemed to take a particular liking to windsurfing and surfing. However, he has not engaged in serious competitions. Haakon is known as a big music fan. When he was younger, he attended music festivals all over Europe, including the Roskilde Festival in Denmark and the Quart Festival in Kristiansand, Norway.
He has also been part of Olympics ceremonies. In 1994, the Crown Prince and his father played roles during the opening ceremony in Lillehammer. While the King declared open the Games, the Crown Prince lit the cauldron, paying tribute to his father and grandfather having served as Olympians. He attended the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
He accompanied the band Katzenjammer in their recording of the song "Vi tenner våre lykter". Proceeds benefited "Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess funds."

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