Queen Sonja of Norway

by Susan Flantzer © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Sonja Haraldsen was born on July 4, 1937, in Oslo, Norway, the daughter of Karl August Haraldsen (1889–1959) and Dagny Ulrichsen (1898–1994). Sonja grew up at 1B Tuengen Allé in Vinderen, Oslo, Norway, one of the wealthiest areas of Oslo. After receiving her elementary education, Sonja received her secondary education at Oslo Vocational School where she studied dressmaking and tailoring. This was a useful course of study as her family owned a clothing store. Sonja then attended a finishing school in Lausanne, Switzerland, École Professionelle des Jeunes Filles, where she studied social science, accounting, and fashion design. When she returned to Norway, Sonja attended the University of Oslo. She studied French, English, and Art History and received an undergraduate degree.

In June of 1959, a few months after her father died, Sonja attended a party hosted by a friend, Johan Stenersen. It was at this party that Sonja met another friend of Johan Stenersen, Crown Prince Harald of Norway. In August of 1959, when the Crown Prince graduated from the Norwegian Military Academy, he invited Sonja to attend the graduation ball, and the couple was photographed together.

Crown Prince Harald of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen at the Norwegian Military Academy Graduation Ball in August of 1959; Photo: ATF

The relationship between the Crown Prince and Sonja was controversial as many people including politicians and journalists, felt the Crown Prince should marry a princess and not a Norwegian commoner. The controversy continued for years as did the relationship despite the media’s attempts to promote a royal marriage with either of the Greek princesses Sophia and Irene. Apparently, Crown Prince Harald made it clear to his father, King Olav V, that he would remain unmarried if he could not marry Sonja. This would have resulted in a succession crisis as Harald was the sole heir to the throne. At that time, Norway did not allow female succession, so his two sisters Ragnhild and Astrid were not in the line of succession.

Finally, in 1968, when King Olav felt the position of the Norwegian people had changed to favor Sonja, he consulted with parliamentary leaders and other government leaders and gave his consent for the Crown Prince to marry a commoner. The engagement of the couple was announced on March 19, 1968, with this announcement from King Olav V: “It is with pleasure that I inform you, Mr. President and Members of the Storting, that I, after seeking advice from the Prime Minister, members of the Government, you, Mr. President, and the parliamentary leaders of the political parties, have today given my consent to my dear son, Crown Prince Harald, to take as his wife Miss Sonja Haraldsen, daughter of the late Mr. Karl August Haraldsen and Mrs. Dagny Haraldsen née Ulrichsen.”

Engagement Photo; Photo: ATF

The wedding was held on August 29, 1968, at the Oslo Cathedral in the presence of 850 guests. Because the bride’s father was deceased and to show his support for his soon-to-be daughter-in-law, King Olav escorted the bride down the aisle. Upon her marriage, Sonja became Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Noway.

Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Harald V of Norway and Sonja Haraldsen

King Olav V escorting the bride down the aisle; Photo: Royal House of Norway

The future King Harald V and Queen Sonja at their wedding; Photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

The couple had two children:

- Princess Märtha Louise, born on 22 September 1971, married Ari Behn, divorced 2017, had three daughters
- Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, born on 20 July 1973, married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, had one daughter and one son

King Harald and Queen Sonja with their children and grandchildren; Photo source: Hello

On January 17, 1991, King Olav V died and Sonja’s husband became King Harald V. Sonja became the first Queen Consort of Norway in 53 years, since the death of Queen Maud, wife of King Haakon VII, in 1938. Along with King Harald, Queen Sonja was consecrated in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on June 23, 1991.

Consecration of the King and Queen; Photo: Royal House of Norway

Queen Sonja has been very active in cultural and social causes. In 1988, as Crown Princess, she started a music competition now called The Queen Sonja International Music Competition. Originally only for pianists, the competition is now only for singers and the winners receive a cash prize and prestigious engagements at Norwegian music institutions. In addition, Queen Sonja’s School Award was established in 2006 and is awarded to schools that have “demonstrated excellence in its efforts to promote inclusion and equality”. In 2011, Queen Sonja established The Foundation for the Queen Sonja Nordic Art Award.

Queen Sonja and King Harald; Photo: Royal House of Norway

Queen Sonja is also the patron of the following organizations:

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Kingdom of Norway Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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