Insights into the lives of the world’s most humble royals, King Harald and Queen Sonja, who send their children to state school by bus
Royals are more likely to be seen cutting the ribbon to open public transport than actually riding it.
But the Norwegian monarchy seems to prefer a more modest way of life.
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King Harald and Queen Sonja are undeterred by their privileged status – they maintain their place as the world’s most humble royal spawn.
Whether they work with commuters on buses or send their children to government schools, these rulers make it clear they are not snooty.
King Harald’s reign is seen as an era of Norway’s modernization and reform as he and his adoring wife sought to engage more with the public and the media.
The 86-year-old wanted to pass these qualities on to his two children, Princess Martha Loise and Crown prince Haakon too.
The children were sent to normal public schools to study like normal children since private schools are not common in the country.
Crown Prince Haakon then followed in his father’s footsteps and also sent his children Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 19, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 17, to state schools.
It’s a family tradition that allows these royal youngsters to get a glimpse of an ordinary childhood.
The Norwegian royal family has nine impressive houses, a rather modest amount compared to the British royal family’s real estate portfolio of 26 houses.
They usually hide out in the Royal Palace in Oslo, but also have a ski lodge called Prinsehytta, a farmhouse in Bygdøy and a private holiday home called Mågerø for living.
Bygdøy is the oldest royal estate in the world and has been in the family since 1305.
The organic farm, designed in a baroque style, has a large number of livestock, including over 60 cows, but unfortunately fell into disrepair.
But King Harald and Queen Sonja restored the property to its full glory in 2007 and breathed new life into the forgotten farm.
According to the brood, the brood has an estimated net worth of around £25million South China tomorrow postwhile their expenses – including security – cost the state nearly £59million.
King Harald and Queen Sonja often rely on public transport – using commercial flights, trains and buses.
They are regularly seen cramming into busy train cars rather than riding in gas-guzzling engines flanked by armed security guards.
It also gives them another way to engage with the public in an organic way, while avoiding seemingly expensive alternatives.
However, there are instances when this monarchy prefers privacy — such as on special occasions and intimate celebrations.
King Harald and Queen Sonja like to celebrate birthdays with their loved ones without spending too much money.
The couple is so thrifty that they even combine big celebrations – like celebrating their 80th birthday together and the 25th year of the king’s reign – into one event to minimize the hubbub.
That doesn’t mean the monarchs are denying each other any joy in life though – as King Harald took the gang on a mega surf trip to South Africa to celebrate their special birthdays.
He is known for his love of water sports and for his three Olympic Games for the Norwegian Sailing Team in the 60’s and 70’s.
Despite his ailing health, the king is said to have sailed as much as he can to this day.
The adventurous head of state even secured second prize at the World Sailing Championships in Toronto at the age of 79.
His turbulent love story with Queen Sonja is believed to have encouraged her to take a down-to-earth approach to her privileged life.
King Harald showed defiance in the face of his father’s disapproval of his wife by King Olav after being warned that he was forbidden to marry a commoner.
The sole heir threatened to end his family’s rule if he couldn’t marry Sonja – paving the way for a period of change in the Norwegian monarchy.
Although his lifestyle is very different from that of British royals, Harald remains very close to the company – and is 77th in line to the throne.
He is the great-grandson of Edward VII and his godparents included Queen Mary and her son George VI – the grandmother and father of the late Queen Elizabeth.
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