As the Norwegian royal family begins to consider funeral arrangements for King Harald, his widow Queen Sonja will be marking a very poignant milestone this weekend.
The royals would have marked their 58th wedding anniversary on 29 August, one day after it was announced that Harald had died aged 89. A statement from the Norwegian Palace read: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Rikshospitalet on Friday, August 28, at 06:35."
Sonja will likely be supported privately through the difficult time by their children, King Haakon VIII and Princess Martha Louise.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesQueen Sonja and King Harald's forbidden love story
While their love story was enduring, it also overcame several obstacles. The Norwegian royal couple kept their relationship a secret for nine years after meeting at a party in 1959, as Harald's father forbade him from marrying a commoner.
According to the Prime Video Norway series, Harald & Sonja, which was released in February, Sonja (played by Gina Bernhoft Gørvell) was warned not to fall in love with the then Crown Prince (played by Sindre Strand Offerdal).
"The true story of love so powerful it threatened the Norwegian monarchy," the trailer tagline read. At the time, Harald was the only person in the line of succession, so his decision to step back from his royal duties for love would have ended the reign of his family.
© GettyKing Olav V eventually gave his blessing to the relationship, and the pair announced their engagement on 19 March 1968.
Five months later, Olav walked Sonja down the aisle at Oslo Cathedral in a show of support. She was a beautiful bride in a high-neck silk wedding dress by Molstad, accessorised with flowers in her hair.
Reflecting on their solid foundations
© GettyBoth King Harald and Queen Sonja confessed that keeping their romance a secret put a strain on them, but ultimately ensured they had a solid foundation.
In January 1991, Harald acceded to the throne following the death of King Olav V, and Sonja became Norway's first commoner Queen Consort in 68 years.
© GettyThroughout his 35-year reign, the King frequently praised his wife's steadfast support.
During their joint 80th birthday celebrations, the Queen hinted that their love was eternal, quoting Gabriel García Márquez: "Age has no reality except in the physical world. The essence of a human being is resistant to the passage of time. Our inner lives are eternal, which is to say that our spirits remain as youthful and vigorous as when we were in full bloom."
