How a Danish Prince became the symbol of Norwegian resistance against Nazi Germany

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born Prince Carl of Denmark, Haakon VII was elected King of Norway in 1905. Though he initially sought a ceremonial role, his refusal to legitimize a Nazi-backed puppet government during the Second World War transformed him into a powerful, unifying symbol of national resistance throughout the five-year occupation.

Born in 1872, Prince Carl was a member of the House of Oldenburg, with deep ancestral ties to the Norwegian throne. When Norway dissolved its union with Sweden in 1905, the nation sought an independent monarch. Carl was selected as the leading candidate, largely due to his descent from historical Norwegian kings and the fact that he had an heir, Prince Alexander. Before accepting, he insisted on a national referendum to ensure the people truly desired a monarchy; the public voted overwhelmingly in favor, and upon his election on 18 November 1905, he adopted the historic name Haakon VII.

Haakon’s reign was defined by a commitment to democratic principles. Despite the Constitution of Norway granting him significant executive power, he operated within a parliamentary system, acting as a non-partisan figurehead. He famously declared himself the king of all citizens, including communists, when appointing the country's first Labour Party government in 1928. This dedication to constitutional duty became his defining trait during the German invasion of April 1940. When Nazi diplomat Curt Bräuer demanded he appoint the fascist leader Vidkun Quisling as prime minister to legitimize the occupation, Haakon refused.

The King informed his cabinet that he could not accept the German demands, stating it would violate his duty as monarch. He offered to abdicate if the government felt otherwise, but the cabinet unanimously supported his resistance. This stand galvanized the nation, and Haakon continued to lead from exile in Great Britain throughout the war. By the time he returned to Norway in June 1945, he had cemented his status as a moral authority. His death in 1957 marked the end of a reign that successfully navigated the transition from a newly independent state to a modern, egalitarian democracy.

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