Profile of the Day: Haakon VII of Norway

Haakon VII, King of Norway

Today Norway celebrates its Constitution Day, referred to simply as syttende mai (seventeenth May) by Norwegians. The national holiday is observed each year to commemorate the signing of the Constitution of Norway at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814.

The constitution declared Norway to be an independent nation in an attempt to avoid being ceded to Sweden after Denmark-Norway’s defeat in the Napoleonic Wars. The Crown Prince of Denmark-Norway, Christian Frederik, was named the first king of Norway, but his reign would not last long. After losing a brief war with Sweden, the Norwegian king abdicated and returned to Denmark. Norway was allowed to keep their constitution with revisions to reflect a personal union with Sweden. Celebrations of Norwegian Constitution Day were banned for many years by King Carl Johan, who believed they were an act of protest and disregard against the union. It wasn’t until after his death, that the people were once again allowed to celebrate freely with large gatherings and children’s parades.

In 1905, Norway gained true independence when the union with Sweden was dissolved and Prince Carl of Denmark was chosen to be King of Norway. He ruled as Haakon VII and was immensely popular amongst his people. For Norwegian Constitution Day, the King introduce the custom of greeting the large children’s parade from the Palace balcony. Over 100 years later, the tradition continues with the fifth generation of the Royal Family.
 

View Haakon VII, King of Norway’s Geni Profile

Image: Nasjonalbiblioteket, Flickr