The biography of Crown Prince Haakon
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon was born at Rikshospitalet University Hospital on 20 July 1973, and is heir to the throne of Norway. He is the son of His Majesty King Harald V and Her Majesty Queen Sonja. The Crown Prince married Miss Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in Oslo Cathedral in August 2001.
Prince Haakon Magnus was baptized in the Palace Chapel in 1973 by the Bishop of Oslo, Kaare Støylen.
He spent his childhood at Skaugum Estate in Asker together with his parents, then Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Sonja, and his sister, Princess Märtha Louise. His parents attached great importance to giving the Crown Prince and his sister an upbringing that was as similar as possible to that of other Norwegian children.
Childhood
From an early age, the Crown Prince showed a keen interest in water sports, outdoor activities, and music. He remains actively engaged in promoting sports and outdoor activities through his official engagements.
Crown Prince of Norway
Upon the death of King Olav V on 17 January 1991, he became Norway’s Crown Prince. Later that year, on turning 18, he attended his first Council of State on 20 July 1991, alongside his father, King Harald. The Crown Prince also gave his first official speech that day, delivering the customary toast of thanks following the government dinner held in his honour at Akershus Castle.
Coming of age
Crown Prince Haakon's education
Education
Following in his father’s footsteps, Prince Haakon began his education at Smestad School in Oslo. He went on to attend Kristelig Gymnasium for secondary school, where he completed his upper secondary exams (artium) in 1992.
The Crown Prince pursued higher education both at university and in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The Crown Prince holds a Bachelor in political science from the University of California at Berkeley (1999) and a Masters degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2003), specialising in international trade and Africa.
In autumn 1999, he undertook an internship at Norway’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, observing the work of the General Assembly’s Third Committee. In 2001, he completed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ trainee programme.
The Armed Forces
The Crown Prince completed his initial military service in the Royal Norwegian Navy. He graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy in Bergen in 1995.
The Crown Prince has also undertaken training with the Naval Special Operations Command, completed parachute training with the Norwegian Special Forces, attended a War Staff Service Course, and regularly visits the Norwegian Armed Forces’ winter exercises.
Crown Prince Haakon holds the rank of general in the Norwegian Armed Forces, admiral in the Norwegian Navy and general in the Norwegian Air Force.
The Crown Prince and the Armed Forces
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Marriage and family
On 25 August 2021, Crown Prince Haakon married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby at Oslo Cathedral. The couple were married by Bishop Gunnar Stålsett. The wedding was attended by representatives from European royal families, representatives from official Norway, various organisations, as well as family and friends. A celebratory dinner was also held at the Royal Palace following the ceremony.
There are three children in the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s family: Marius Borg Høiby, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra and His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit reside at Skaugum Estate in Asker, near Oslo.
