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| Håkon VII of Norway | |
|---|---|
| Name | Håkon VII |
| Caption | King Håkon VII in 1935 |
| Succession | King of Norway |
| Reign | 18 November 1905 – 21 September 1957 |
| Predecessor | Dissolution of the union with Sweden |
| Successor | Olav V |
| Full name | Christian Frederik Carl Georg Valdemar Axel |
| House | House of Glücksburg |
| Father | Frederick VIII of Denmark |
| Mother | Louise of Sweden and Norway |
| Birth date | 3 August 1872 |
| Birth place | Charlottenlund, Denmark |
| Death date | 21 September 1957 |
| Death place | Oslo, Norway |
| Burial place | Akershus Fortress |
Håkon VII of Norway was the first monarch of an independent Norway in the 20th century after the dissolution of the union with Sweden, serving from 1905 until 1957. A prince of the House of Glücksburg, he became a symbol of constitutional monarchy and national unity, especially for his leadership during World War II (1939–1945). His reign encompassed transitions during the Union between Sweden and Norway, two World Wars, and the emergence of the United Nations.
Born Christian Frederik Carl Georg Valdemar Axel at Charlottenlund Palace near Copenhagen, he was the son of Frederick VIII of Denmark and Louise of Sweden and Norway, linking him to dynasties including the House of Bernadotte, the House of Oldenburg, and the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He was baptized in the Church of Denmark and raised within the Danish princely court alongside relatives such as Christian X of Denmark, George V of the United Kingdom, and members of the Hohenzollern and Romanov families. His education included service in the Royal Danish Navy and postings that acquainted him with officers from the Royal Navy (United Kingdom), the Imperial German Navy, and the Swedish Navy. Early influences included statesmen like J.C. Christensen and military figures such as Peder Hesselberg; cultural contacts involved composers like Edvard Grieg and writers such as Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg.
Following the 1905 Norwegian referendum that ended the Union between Sweden and Norway (1814–1905), the newly independent Storting invited a prince from the House of Glücksburg to accept Norway's crown; the choice fell on the Danish prince who took the regnal name Håkon and accepted after negotiations involving Christian Michelsen, Jørgen Løvland, and Gunnar Knudsen. His accession involved diplomatic contacts with monarchs like Oscar II of Sweden, Edward VII of the United Kingdom, and Wilhelm II of Germany; legal arrangements referenced constitutional framers such as Christian Magnus Falsen and institutions like the Storting and the Nygaardsvold Cabinet. His coronation at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim recalled medieval traditions linked to kings such as Harald Fairhair and Olaf II Haraldsson (Saint Olaf), and was attended by representatives from the League of Nations, Scandinavian royal houses, and diplomats accredited from capitals including Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, and Berlin.
As a constitutional monarch he navigated tensions among political figures like Kjell Bondevik, Lars Holst, Christian L. Hornsrud, and prime ministers including Gunnar Knudsen, Johan Nygaardsvold, and Per Borten. The king's duties involved interactions with the Storting, the Council of State (Norway), and legal advisers versed in the Norwegian Constitution of 1814, influenced by jurists such as Francis Hagerup and Anton Martin Schweigaard. During his reign he witnessed reforms associated with the Labour Party (Norway), developments in Norwegian industry involving companies like Norsk Hydro and Statoil's precursors, and cultural patronage linked to institutions such as the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the National Theatre. His engagements included state visits with monarchs like Christian X of Denmark and leaders such as Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin in contexts involving diplomacy with the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
During the German invasion of Norway (1940), Håkon VII refused to capitulate to forces of Nazi Germany and to collaborate with figures like Vidkun Quisling, asserting constitutional principles alongside military commanders including Rittmester Otto Ruge and naval leaders like Admiral Henrik Blehr. He and the Norwegian government-in-exile relocated to London where they worked with the British government and Winston Churchill while coordinating with Allied commands such as the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the Soviet Northern Fleet. His broadcasts via BBC World Service bolstered resistance movements tied to the Norwegian resistance movement, clandestine groups like Milorg, intelligence networks associated with Shetland Bus, and agents linked to organizations including SIS (MI6), SOE, and the Special Operations Executive. The king's refusal to accept a puppet administration under Quisling became a rallying point referenced by resistance figures such as Max Manus, Gunnar Sønsteby, and Leif Larsen, and later featured in Allied documentation like the Nuremberg Trials archives.
After returning to Oslo in 1945 he presided over post-war reconstruction with leaders including Einar Gerhardsen, Trygve Bratteli, and John Lyng, engaging with international projects such as the Marshall Plan, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe. His reign saw economic development involving enterprises like Norsk Hydro, welfare debates featuring the Labour Party (Norway), and cultural renewal in institutions like the Bergen International Festival and the Edvard Munch Museum. Commemorations of his wartime role involved memorials at Akershus Fortress, ceremonies referenced by historians such as Arne Bergsgård and Tarald Rasmussen, and portrayals in media including films produced by Norsk Film and writings by biographers like Per Maurseth and Knut Helle. His legacy influenced the later reign of Olav V and constitutional discussions that engaged scholars from University of Oslo and Norwegian School of Economics.
He married Maud of Wales, daughter of Edward VII of the United Kingdom and Alexandra of Denmark, linking him to the British royal family and relatives such as George V and Victoria, Princess Royal. Their son succeeded as Olav V of Norway. Personal interests included yachting on vessels like the royal yacht Norge and patronage of sports clubs such as Lyn Fotball and cultural institutions like the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. He received honours from states and orders including the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Elephant, the Order of St. Olav, the Legion of Honour, and awards from monarchs like Christian X of Denmark and Gustaf V of Sweden. He is buried at Akershus Fortress and commemorated in places named after him such as streets in Oslo and monuments in Trondheim.
Category:Kings and Queens of Norway Category:House of Glücksburg Category:Norwegian royalty