In Memory of King Harald V of Norway

28 years ago, on September 2, 1998, His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, accompanied by Queen Sonja, arrived in Latvia for his first and only state visit, during which they also visited the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.

For the royal couple, the visit to the museum was an emotional and special experience. Harald V studied history and politics, so he was particularly interested in Latvia’s 20th-century history - the events of World War II, the occupations of Latvia, and their consequences.

There are parallels between the historical experiences of Norway and Latvia. Norway, too, was occupied by Nazi German forces in 1940, and the royal family was forced into exile. 
Harald’s mother accepted an invitation from U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and the future king spent the war years in the United States with his sisters. After the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II, the royal family returned to Norway.

Harald V became King of Norway on January 17, 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V. At that time, the world’s attention was focused on the Gulf War, while Riga was in the midst of the January 1991 Barricades.

Harald V is the only Norwegian king to have visited Latvia. The museum’s archives contain photographs from that historic visit. In memory of King Harald V, we are sharing them.

Today, on the funeral day of King Harald V, we express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Norway, honoring with the utmost respect the king’s lifelong devotion to Norway and its people.