Harald V of Norway

On 17 August the Crown Princess and her children left for the United States from Petsamo, Finland, aboard the United States Army transport ship SS American Legion (1919).

Harald, his mother, and his sisters lived in Washington, D.C. during the war, while his father, Crown Prince Olav, and his grandfather, King Haakon, stayed in London with the Norwegian government-in-exile.

Harald V (Harald den femte, ; born 21 February 1937) is King of Norway.

Prince Harald was born at the Skaugum estate during the reign of his grandfather King Haakon VII and was baptised in the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo on 31 March 1937 by Bishop Johan Lunde.

His godparents were: his paternal grandparents King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway; his maternal grandparents Prince Carl and Princess Ingeborg of Sweden; his maternal uncle King Leopold III of Belgium; Queen Mary and King George VI of the United Kingdom; and Crown Princess Ingrid of Denmark.

His parents already had two daughters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid.

At the time of Harald's birth, he was second in line of succession to the Norwegian throne following his father, Crown Prince Olav.

In 1940, as a result of the German occupation during World War II, the royal family went into exile.

Harald spent part of his childhood in Sweden and the United States.

In 1940 the entire royal family had to flee Oslo because of the German invasion.

It was deemed safer for the family to split up.

The King and Crown Prince Olav would remain in Norway and the Crown Princess was to make her way to Sweden with the three children.

The latter party reached Sweden on the night of 10 April, but although Crown Princess Märtha was Swedish-born, they encountered problems at the border station.

According to Princess Astrid and others who were present, they were admitted only after the driver threatened to ram the border gate.

Another account does not describe the escape so dramatically.

However, when the King and Crown Prince inquired of Swedish foreign minister Christian Günther whether they could sleep one night in Sweden without being interned, their request was refused.

Harald spent the following days in Sälen before moving to Prince Carl Bernadotte's home in Frötuna on 16 April.

On 26 April the group moved to Drottningholm in Stockholm.

King Gustaf V has been accounted to have had an amicable relationship with his Norwegian guests, but the topic of the war in Norway was not to be raised.

However, influential Swedish politicians, including Minister of Justice Westman, wanted the Crown Princess and Prince Harald to be sent back to Norway so he could be proclaimed King by the Germans.

After the King and Crown Prince had to leave Norway on 7 June they felt Sweden might not be the best place for the rest of the family, and started planning for them to go to the United States.

He attended The White Hall Country School from 1943.

The Doris Kearns Goodwin book No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the Home Front in World War II contains a picture of the King (then Prince) playing with FDR's dog, Fala, on the North Lawn of the White House in 1944.

Harald visited Norwegian servicemen training in the United States.

The prince also made visits outside America, travelling north to visit Norwegian personnel at the training base "Little Norway" in Ontario, Canada.

He returned to Norway in 1945, and subsequently studied for periods at the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Military Academy, and Balliol College, Oxford.

One of the notable events he remembers from that time is standing behind Franklin D. Roosevelt when he was sworn in for his fourth term on the South Portico of the White House in 1945.

Such childhood experiences are reflected in a trace of an American accent when he speaks English.

Prince Harald returned to Norway with his family at the war's end in 1945.

In the autumn of 1945 he was enrolled in third grade of Smestad skole as the first member of the royal family to attend a public (state) school.

In 1951 he lost his maternal grandfather, Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland.

His Confirmation took place on 10 May 1953 at the Chapel of Akershus Castle.

Following the death of his grandfather Haakon VII in 1957, Harald became crown prince as his father became king.

A keen sportsman, he represented Norway in sailing at the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic Games, and later became patron of World Sailing.

Harald married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968, their relationship having initially been controversial due to her status as a commoner.

They have two children, Märtha Louise and Haakon.

He succeeded to the throne on 17 January 1991.

Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden.

He was second in the line of succession at the time of his birth, behind his father.

Harald became king following his father's death in 1991, with Haakon becoming his heir apparent.