Prince Haakon celebrates his 50th birthday on July 20, 2023. On this occasion, the Norwegian crown prince gave an interview in which he spoke unusually openly about his children and their future.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023, Prince Haakon turned 50. At this special milestone, Princess Mette-Marit’s husband, 49, gives a glimpse into his inner life. In an interview with the TV channel “NTB” on Skaugum, the heir to the Norwegian throne not only reviewed the past half century, but also pondered his future as king. “I want to do well in the role when that day comes,” he says, adding, referring to his time as monarch, “We can’t take it too seriously either. It’s supposed to be fun too.” He also rarely speaks privately about the future of his children Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 19, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 17.
Prince Haakon: “I’m incredibly lucky”
“I’m incredibly lucky. I have such a nice family, a lot of people who I love and who I hope will love me too. And I have something to do that makes sense and is nice,” emphasizes Haakon, according to the daily newspaper.Dagsavisen”, who already has the interview. His 50th birthday now feels for the crown prince as if he had “half the book through”.
I hope the second half will be as good as the first.
“The big difference comes when the kids move out”
Certainly Haakon’s 50th Wiegenfest is a special event, even a turning point. However, he suspects that this will not change much in his everyday life. In the process, he comes to speak of his children. “The big difference will probably come when the children leave home.” Marius Borg Høiby, 26, Mette-Marit’s son, who comes from her previous relationship with Morten Borg, left Skaugum a few years ago. For Ingrid Alexandra, the time will soon come: next year she will start her military training, like the farm announced a few weeks ago. For Sverre Magnus, the last school year will soon begin. It won’t be long before all the kids have left. That will be a change, says the father of two:
We’re used to having a youth center like this here, where it’s full of young people hanging out, watching movies or eating pizza. We think it’s really nice to have a lot of life.
Haakon also thought about his role as a father. “I’m going through the same phases as my parents. Instead of seeing things from a child or young person’s perspective, you suddenly see how my parents felt,” he notes with amusement. So he can only now understand certain rules of his parents, which he did not understand before. With his children, he and Mette-Marit tried not to be too strict: “The rules don’t always have to be so strict.”
Haakon reveals details about his son Sverre Magnus’ future role
In another interview on the occasion of his special day, which Haakon gave to the NRK (Norway’s public broadcaster), he reveals more details about the future role his youngest child Sverre Magnus will play. The crown prince imagines “that he has to find his own way. Ingrid will take on the role. Magnus will certainly be involved in something, but I don’t think he will have an official full-time role. That’s not the plan,” the newspaper “Se og Hør” quoted him as saying. It is important to him that Sverre Magnus finds something that he would like to do in his life, a passion.
This is how he spends his 50th birthday
Not only the crown prince turns 50 this year. On August 19th it is also Mette-Marit’s turn. The crown prince couple are planning a big backyard party together at the castle to celebrate their birthdays on August 25, 2023, the couple’s wedding anniversary. On his actual day of honor, however, only “a cozy celebration” with the family is planned, says Haakon in his other conversation with the TV station “NTB”.
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“It’s probably quite similar to most of the others, I think. We usually wake up the person whose birthday it is. Then we have breakfast, we usually bake brownies and light some candles. We sing the birthday song and bring gifts. And then in the evening we like to have a birthday party with some other relatives and friends,” reveals the crown prince of the royal birthday tradition. Haakon will undoubtedly enjoy the intimate time with the family.
Source used: dagsavisen.no, Seher.no