Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit's Unlikely Love Story

The Norwegian royals overcame controversy to build a lasting marriage.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:00pm by Ben Kaplan

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Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway have been married for over 24 years, but their relationship was not without controversy in its early days. While few details have been published about their first meeting, the couple were publicly dating by 1999 despite Mette-Marit's past as a single mother and her involvement in Oslo's party scene. The Norwegian public and even the Church of Norway initially frowned upon their relationship, but King Harald and Queen Sonja ultimately gave their blessing, with the King praising Mette-Marit as an 'extraordinary young woman' on their wedding day.

Why it matters

The Crown Prince's marriage to a commoner with a non-traditional background was seen as a bold and modern choice, challenging the traditional expectations of Norwegian royalty. Their story highlights how the Norwegian monarchy has evolved to be more inclusive and accepting of diverse backgrounds.

The details

Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit had met by the summer of 1998 and were publicly dating by July 1999, when they were pictured together at the Quart Festival in Kristiansand, Norway. Mette-Marit was described as a 'modern-day Cinderella' given her status as a single mother and her involvement in Oslo's party scene, which drew criticism from the Norwegian public and the Church of Norway. However, King Harald and Queen Sonja ultimately gave their blessing for the union, with the King praising Mette-Marit's openness about her past in his wedding day speech.

  • Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit had met by the summer of 1998.
  • The couple were publicly dating by July 1999 when they were pictured together at the Quart Festival.
  • Haakon and Mette-Marit announced their engagement in December 2000.
  • The couple tied the knot on August 25, 2001 at the Oslo Cathedral.

The players

Crown Prince Haakon

The heir apparent to the Norwegian throne and son of King Harald and Queen Sonja.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

The wife of Crown Prince Haakon, who was a single mother and involved in Oslo's party scene prior to their relationship.

King Harald

The current King of Norway, who initially had hesitations about his son's relationship with Mette-Marit but ultimately gave the union his blessing.

Queen Sonja

The Queen of Norway and wife of King Harald, who also supported her son's marriage to Mette-Marit.

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What they’re saying

“The bright southern girl made an impression on me. You notice when Mette enters a room. There is a power there that is not so easy to overlook. And was nice to talk to.”

— Crown Prince Haakon

“For the Queen and me this has been a challenging and valuable process, but above all it has been a good one. On several occasions, I have read that you are an ordinary young woman who has become Norway's Crown Princess today. This does not fit with my own impression. You are not an ordinary young woman. You are an extraordinary young woman...and today you have chosen to embark on an extraordinary life.”

— King Harald

The takeaway

The Crown Prince's marriage to Mette-Marit, a commoner with a non-traditional background, was seen as a bold and modern choice that challenged the traditional expectations of Norwegian royalty. Their story highlights how the Norwegian monarchy has evolved to be more inclusive and accepting of diverse backgrounds, paving the way for a new generation of royals.