Danish and Norwegian royal families draw on century-old ties

King Frederik of Denmark referred to the late King Harald of Norway as “Uncle Harald” in a condolence letter, reflecting the close family and personal ties between the two royal households, DR reports.

Historian and royal expert Emma Paaske told DR’s P1 Morgen that the relationship was especially close between Queen Margrethe of Denmark and her second cousin, King Harald, who died today.

“They have a very familial and friendly relationship,” Paaske said.

Margrethe holidayed with the Norwegian royal family several times, and photographs show them skiing together in Norway. The families also visited each other privately, not only at official events.

The two royal houses are linked by family as well. Like Margrethe, Harald was a great-grandchild of King Frederik VIII of Denmark.

“There is a lot of Danish blood in the current Norwegian royal family,” Paaske said.

When Norway left its union with Sweden in 1905, the country had no king. The Norwegian government appointed a committee to consider princes from various European royal families as candidates for the vacant throne.

The choice fell on Danish Prince Carl, the son of Frederik VIII. Carl asked the government to hold a referendum before he accepted the throne.

Among eligible voters, men over the age of 25, there was strong support for the proposal to invite Prince Carl of Denmark to become king of Norway.

The Danish prince took the name Haakon, which had a more Norwegian sound. According to Paaske, he wanted to establish himself within a Norwegian royal tradition. Norway had previously had kings named Haakon, allowing him to call himself Haakon VII even though he was the first king in the new line.

The close relationship between the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish royal families has continued through the generations.

Paaske said Harald and Margrethe also drew on their relationship in their roles as monarchs.

“They have been able to exchange ideas and thoughts. It is a very special club to be a monarch in. In that way, they have also been able to support each other,” she said.

The ties have continued into the next generation. In connection with Denmark’s change of monarch, Norway’s new King Haakon told DR that Frederik was more than just “a kind of colleague”.

“We are also friends. So it is very nice that it can be that way,” he said.

King Frederik and the then Crown Prince Haakon were most recently seen together on a run through the streets of Stockholm in June, when they attended Swedish King Carl Gustaf’s 80th birthday celebrations.