As of: February 2, 2024, 7:21 p.m
By: Susanne Kröber
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Will King Harald of Norway follow the lead of Queen Margrethe of Denmark and hand over the throne to Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit?
Oslo - As king or queen of your country, do you remain in office until your death, or do you vacate the throne during your lifetime to make room for the younger generation?
This question is now stirring minds again after Denmark's Queen Margrethe II (83) passed the scepter to King Frederik (55) and Queen Mary (51) on January 14th.
“Valid for life”: King Harald of Norway does not want to abdicate
At the proud age of 86, King Harald V of Norway is still ten years away from catching up with Queen Elizabeth II (96, † 2022).
However, he has struggled with health problems several times in the past.
In 2003, the palace announced that King Harald had bladder cancer, and in 2005 and 2020 he had to undergo heart valve operations.
Then as now, Crown Prince Haakon (50) stood in for his father.
But even though King Harald V now mostly uses walking frames, the Norwegian monarch still feels fit enough for his royal duties.
At a meeting at the press house in Oslo, Harald was asked whether he intended to emulate Queen Margrethe and abdicate soon.
But he doesn't have that.
“I stick to what I have said all along: I have sworn an oath to Parliament and it is valid for life,” said Norway’s king, according to
NRK
.
Mette-Marit suffers from chronic lung disease
In October 2018 it was announced that Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit had been suffering from chronic pulmonary fibrosis for several years.
The disease cannot be cured; patients mainly suffer from shortness of breath, coughing and shortness of breath.
If her health does not allow it, Mette-Marit has to cancel events, such as the throne jubilee of King Carl XVI.
Gustaf of Sweden (77) in September 2023.
“A difficult balancing act”: Does King Harald want to relieve the burden on sick Mette-Marit?
In Norway it looks as if Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (50) still have to wait for the titles of King and Queen.
Last but not least, Mette-Marit's health could also become a decisive factor here.
“I certainly think Norway is the main candidate, but it's complicated.
“The king is well over 80 and his health is not particularly good,” said Chris Ship, royal expert for the British television station
ITV , in
Hello!
’s “A Right Royal Podcast”.
magazine.
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According to King Harald (right), there will be no early change of throne in Norway.
(Photomontage) © picture alliance/dpa/NTB/Fredrik Varfjell/Hanna Johre
“At the same time, we have the Crown Princess, who herself is suffering from a very serious illness.
If Crown Prince Haakon becomes king, that would also put pressure on Mette-Marit,” points out Chris Ship.
“So it's a difficult balancing act.” If there is a change of throne in Norway one day, the Crown Princess will have to continue to take it easy - a major uncertainty factor for Crown Prince Haakon, who commented on Mette-Marit's health in his biography.
Sources used:
nrk.no, hellomagazine.com