A new Amazon Prime drama series is set to chronicle the remarkable nine-year romance before the marriage between Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja.
The series will depict their powerful love story that surrounded the Norwegian monarchy in the 1960s, as Harald defied royal expectations to marry Sonja, a merchant’s daughter.
Amazon Prime Norway has released a trailer for ‘Harald and Sonja’, starring Gina Bernhoft Gørvell as Sonja and Sindre Strand Offerdal as Harald.
The romantic scenes show the couple sailing together, whilst Sonja receives warnings about the impossibility of their match, as Harald was expected to marry a princess.
A new Amazon Prime drama series is set to chronicle the remarkable nine-year romance before the marriage between Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja.
Amazon Prime
Today, Harald and Sonja, both 87, continue their enduring love story, though they have faced recent health challenges.
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Producers have described the story as something out of a fairy tale, saying: “The story has all the ingredients to become a major international viewer favourite for anyone who likes unique and genuine love stories”.
Their love story began in 1959 at a dinner party, where Crown Prince Harald first met Sonja Haraldsen at an event hosted by his friend Johan Stenerse.
Speaking to national broadcaster NRK in 2015, the royal couple confirmed it was a “case of love at first sight”.
Harald had just turned 21 and completed his army training as a cadet in the Norwegian Military Academy when their paths crossed.
The series will depict their powerful love story that surrounded the Norwegian monarchy in the 1960s, as Harald defied royal expectations to marry Sonja, a merchant’s daughter.
Amazon Prime
Sonja was then studying English, French and Art History at the University of Oslo, having also earned credentials in dress-making and attended a finishing school in Switzerland.
Despite her accomplishments, the Palace deemed Sonja an unsuitable match for the future King of Norway, as her father was a clothing merchant.
King Olav, Harald’s father, insisted that the future queen must be of royal birth, setting the stage for nearly a decade of opposition.
The Palace took a firm stance against the relationship, even issuing a statement in August 1964 denying reports in British and Swedish media that Crown Prince Harald would marry a “commoner”.
Sonja was then studying English, French and Art History at the University of Oslo, having also earned credentials in dress-making and attended a finishing school in Switzerland.
Amazon Prime
The couple’s relationship endured multiple breakups between 1959 and 1968 due to intense pressure, though they found themselves unable to remain apart.
In 1965, Harald took a bold stance, presenting his father with an ultimatum: either grant permission for him to marry Sonja, or he would remain single for life.
Finally, in 1968, King Olav relented and gave the couple his blessing after their nine-year struggle for acceptance.
The historic wedding took place on 29 August 1968 at Oslo Cathedral, with 850 guests in attendance.
Finally, in 1968, King Olav relented and gave the couple his blessing after their nine-year struggle for acceptance.
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The historic wedding took place on 29 August 1968 at Oslo Cathedral, with 850 guests in attendance.
Getty
In a touching gesture that symbolised the monarchy’s acceptance of Sonja, King Olav walked his future daughter-in-law down the aisle, as her own father had passed away in 1959.
Today, Harald and Sonja, both 87, continue their enduring love story, though they have faced recent health challenges.
Queen Sonja was rushed to hospital earlier this month and fitted with a pacemaker.
The series aims to bring their extraordinary tale to international audiences when it premieres on Amazon Prime this Valentine’s Day.