Image Credit: Jørgen Gomnæs, the Royal Court
Haakon Magnus was just 17 when his grandfather died and his father became King. At that time, it was tradition for the first-born son to succeed the throne. Despite his sister Märtha Louise being 2 years his senior, Haakon Magnus was given the title Crown Prince and became heir to the throne. Since that time, the system has been changed, and the Crown Prince’s first-born child, Ingrid Alexandra is 2nd heir to the throne.
Haakon Magnus was born 1973 in Asker just southwest of Oslo. He and his sister attended public schools in an attempt to give them a normal Norwegian upbringing. Unlike other children, the young prince grew up in the storied royal estate, Skaugum. Haakon graduated from high school in 1992 and as is family tradition, went into the military service. Unlike his father, who served in the Army, Haakon chose to go into the Navy and became a naval officer like his great-grandfather.
Over time, Crown Prince’s duties began to increase and he began attending meetings of the Council of State. He has occasionally presided over meetings on behalf of his father due to illness or travel. After going to naval officer school, Haakon studied political science at the University of California at Berkeley and received a Bachelor’s degree in 1999.
Haakon followed in his father’s footsteps by marrying a commoner, Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, in 2001. The royal pair have two children together, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (17) and Prince Sverre Magnus (15), and Haakon is also stepfather to Mette-Marit’s 24-year-old son, Marius Borg Høiby.
Although Prince Haakon has been preparing his whole life for the future role as king, he also takes time to enjoy sports and the outdoors. He likes surfing, skiing, paragliding and biking. He is also a patron of the arts and enjoys art and theater.