The world mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch who reigned for over seven decades and became a symbol of stability and service. Across nations, tributes pour in, and among those deeply affected are the Norwegian Royal Family, who shared a particularly close and enduring bond with the English Royal Family.
On September 8th, 2022, the Norwegian Royal Family expressed their profound sorrow upon receiving news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. King Harald V conveyed heartfelt condolences: “Our thoughts are with His Majesty The King and the members of the Royal Family on the loss of Queen Elizabeth. For nearly a century, Her Majesty devoted her life to the service of the Commonwealth, following the British people through good days and bad, in times of happiness and sorrow. We also send our condolences to the British people.”
Queen Elizabeth II: A Lifetime of Dedication
Ascending to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch in British history and a central figure in the English Royal Family. Her reign spanned an era of immense social and political change, yet she remained a constant, embodying duty and tradition. As Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth, her influence extended globally. She undertook countless official visits, fostering international relations and representing the UK on the world stage. Beyond her constitutional obligations, Queen Elizabeth II was known for her unwavering commitment to service. She championed numerous charitable organizations, recognizing contributions to society through honors, and hosting events that brought people together. Her dedication to her people and her role was universally admired.
Deep Family Roots and Royal Connections
The relationship between the English Royal Family and the Norwegian Royal Family is more than just diplomatic; it’s deeply personal, rooted in family ties. Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald V were second cousins, sharing great-grandparents: King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Queen Alexandra, notably, was the mother of Queen Maud of Norway, further cementing the familial link. This shared ancestry has fostered a unique sense of kinship and understanding between the two royal houses for generations.
Queen Elizabeth II holds a distinctive place in Norwegian history as the only head of state to have conducted three State Visits to Norway. These visits, spanning her reign and different Norwegian monarchs – King Haakon VII, King Olav V, and King Harald V – underscore the significance she placed on this relationship. Conversely, members of the Norwegian Royal Family have been frequent guests of the English Royal Family in the United Kingdom, attending official events and enjoying private visits, further strengthening their bond away from the public eye.
Generations of Royal Contact
The close relationship between the English and Norwegian Royal Families stretches back to Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood. She first met King Haakon VII and Queen Maud when she was a young princess. King Haakon and Queen Maud were regular visitors to the United Kingdom, maintaining close contact with their British relatives. This familial connection deepened during the tumultuous years of World War II.
When Nazi Germany occupied Norway in 1940, King Haakon VII and Crown Prince Olav were forced into exile in London. This period of shared hardship in wartime London brought the two royal families even closer. The English Royal Family provided refuge and support, solidifying the personal bonds forged through kinship.
Adding to the intimacy, King Haakon VII, before becoming King of Norway, was Prince Carl of Denmark. “Charles” being the English equivalent of “Carl,” Queen Elizabeth II affectionately referred to King Haakon as “Uncle Charles.” It is believed that he was a favorite uncle of the Queen, and in a gesture of familial affection, she named her eldest son, Prince Charles, after him in 1948.
After Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne, Norway was the first country outside the Commonwealth she chose to visit on a State Visit, demonstrating the importance she placed on this relationship from the outset of her reign. Decades later, reflecting on her first visit aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, she recounted in a speech to King Harald V: “In 1955, on my first visit outside the Commonwealth, Prince Philip and I sailed up the Oslo fjord in Britannia to join the celebrations for Norway’s Golden Jubilee of Independence. It was midsummer, an enchanting time in Norway, and I remember the bonfires along the coastline as we arrived and the enthusiastic welcome we received as guests of your grandfather, King Haakon.”
King Olav V also shared a close personal bond with Queen Elizabeth II and the English Royal Family. His childhood visits and wartime experience in England fostered a deep connection. He was a frequent visitor to the UK, notably joining the English Royal Family each Remembrance Day to honor those who served in the Armed Forces. One of King Olav’s first State Visits outside the Nordic region was to the United Kingdom, where he was warmly received by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Following King Olav’s death in 1991, King Harald V and Queen Sonja have continued this tradition of close relations with the English Royal Family, both officially and privately. Their annual visits to the United Kingdom are a testament to the enduring strength of this royal connection.
Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald V have together carried forward the legacy of their predecessors, ensuring that the close ties between the English and Norwegian Royal Families remain vibrant into the future, extending to the younger generations, from Prince George to Princess Ingrid Alexandra. This enduring relationship, built on family, shared history, and mutual respect, stands as a significant chapter in the story of the English Royal Family and their global connections.
