The Crown Prince of Norway has an important anniversary today.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. PDO
Crown Prince Haakon turns 50 on July 20. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK did a long personal interview with the princein which the heir to the crown’s thoughts on aging are discussed, among other things.
Haakon becomes king of Norway after his father Harald. If Haakon had been born without royal duties, he would have chosen the profession of a professional surfer. Haakon is known as a passionate surfer who has enjoyed the sport for decades.
– I am often asked what I would do for a living if I were not the crown prince. I would have been a professional surfer and traveled the world surfing. Of course I would be a former professional by now, because I’m 50 years old, Haakon laughs.
Haakon says that he also has a small age crisis. Haakon says that the age crisis stems mainly from his sports hobbies and body changes. Sports are a big part of Haakon’s life. He says that he gets a lot of energy and joy in his life from sports. Despite everything, the prince believes that life is good even after 50 years.
Haakon surfing in 2000. PDO
Studied under a pseudonym
In his birthday interview, Haakon recalls his youth at the turn of the millennium, when he studied in the United States. Haakon’s identity was wanted to be kept a secret at the US University in Berkeley. Only Haakon’s closest friends knew he was the Prince of Norway. Haakon’s pseudonym was Haakon Magnus. The prince therefore used his second name as his surname.
Crown Prince Haakon studied in the United States and tried to blend in with other students as an equal. Photo from 1999. PDO
Haakon’s life in the United States consisted of, among other things, surfing, book clubs and visiting record stores. Haakon says now that the experience was very fruitful, because he gained perspective on his very extraordinary life.
– I learned a lot both academically and socially. I met a lot of people who were very different from me. They came from completely different parts of the world and had a lot of experiences that I didn’t have.
– It’s a good thing to face the matter exactly like that. I learned so much from it and made a lot of new friends, Haakon recalls.