Many writers would say that if a person digs deep enough within himself, he gets past the individual and arrives at something that is common to all people. The existential and material situation Crown Prince Haakon is born into, not to say thrown into, is so unique that I did not expect universal insights from this book. The fact that this biography nevertheless creates resonance and recognition comes both from Kjetil Østli’s level as a journalist and non-fiction writer, but also from the fact that the crown prince possesses a thoroughly worked-out philosophy of life. The royal responsibility entails a seriousness and solemnity that can collide with a young person’s desire to fit in. The book conveys the polarity in an honest and sometimes painful way. Here in front of the royal regalia in Nidaros Cathedral in 1988. Photo: Morten Hvaal / NTB Lots of attention on the first day of school at Smestad School in Oslo in 1980, with mother Crown Princess Sonja. Photo: Sigurdsøn / NTB Russetog in 1992. On the back of the hat is the nickname “Måka”. “The prince and the poor boy” The title gives a hint about the structure of the book: “Stories about an heir to the throne”. This is not one long continuous narrative. Rather, the approach is mildly postmodernist: Anecdotes, short lists, snapshots as well as the crown prince’s comments on the book script, break up and supplement the chronological lines of interviews. The book provides interesting insights into both the person and the institution. The Crown Prince tells, among other things, about his relationship with his sister, studies in the USA, about his engagement and marriage to Mette-Marit and the encounter with terror in 2011. I am particularly fascinated by honest recollections of childhood and adolescence where the desire to fit in collides with the role as crown prince and future monarch. Polite authority The book alternates between the crown prince’s perspective and sections where the author describes his impressions of the heir to the throne and the well-oiled apparatus around him. This move works great, adding variety and humor. The playful style of Østli both challenges and complements the polite authority of the royal house, which standing alone can quickly appear monotonous. As the author writes early in the book, he was warned against the project by colleagues: “How much can a royal say before the court clears its throat and corrects, or before the voice in the back of the head that we can call ‘the institution’ tells him to hit the brakes?” THE ASSIGNMENT: The Crown Prince’s desire to be useful leads to long days on official assignments. The emphasis on pleasure in this part of the work is clearly evident. Here in Namsskogan in 2017. In Cambodia in 2004 as goodwill ambassador for the UN development program UNDP. Here he greets Sok Ly at the Cambodia Mine Action Centre. On a tour of the USA in the 90s. Here in Texas, with the obligatory cowboy hat on my head. Photo: Knut Falch / NTB Good atmosphere in South Africa in 2001. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB The Crown Prince’s commitment and willingness to make a positive difference appears responsible and genuine, but the reflections on social life and global and local challenges are often a clue vague, and – at the risk of committing an insult to majesty – a little boring. That’s understandable. A future monarch should not be too original, not provocative and “edgy”. The stoic at the castle But when the crown prince talks about the relationship between duty and choice, I am gripped. “Nobody can do exactly what they want. Even I with great privileges have many limitations – and opportunities. The question is: What is a good solution to all this?” The way the crown prince has made the tradition he was born into a choice – his own choice – has a simple clarity in it, as only insights gained through experience and overcoming can have. The ethics of virtue in which the crown prince’s thinking is imbued is inspiring in its sensible moderation. At the risk of exaggerating, but here the crown prince appears as a modern ruler philosopher in the tradition of Emperor Marcus Aurelius who in his time (years 121-180) wrote the wisdom classic “Til meg selv”. FOOTFUL: The cohabitation between the crown prince and Mette-Marit led to a massive media storm around the turn of the millennium. Instead of hiding away, the couple had a coffee at St. Hanshaugen in Oslo, with the press in tow. The crown prince’s duffel coat was criticized by some for being sloppy. The Crown Prince felt he had decorated himself. Photo: Tor Richardsen / NTB Male role and family life The biography is also entertaining in its description of what can be called classic masculine activities, which must be said to be one of Østli’s specialities. But also the crown prince’s, it seems. I am completely on board with this generous “bridge” atmosphere and delight in the depictions of fighter jet tours on NATO exercises, expeditions and conversations about changing habits. ACTION MAN: Crown Prince Haakon surfs in the waves at Alnes Lighthouse outside Ålesund. Crown Prince Haakon on a three-day visit to Karasjok. The crown prince tries his hand at reindeer driving. FAMILY MAN: In Norway, the crown prince was criticized for not taking the papa binder seriously because he took part in the council of state on Fridays. In Spain, he was criticized for being sloppy with his duties as regent. Queen Sonja reads to her grandchildren on summer holiday in 2006. Photo: Privat / Privat In the summer of 2008, the crown prince couple packed their bags, took the children with them and left for Svalbard. There they live for three weeks in a simple cabin, called Villa Fredheim, which was built a hundred years ago by the trapper Hilmar Nøis from Vesterålen. Photo: Private Crown Prince Family on ski trip at Dagalifjell, winter 2021. Photo: Matti Bernitz / Matti Bernitz Surfing with Princess Ingrid Alexandra in Hoddevik in 2017. Photo: Fjordlapse photography / Fjordlapse photography It is also fun to read about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s critical analysis of the documentary series “Limitless” in which the action hero Chris Hemsworth is exposed to a number of health-related challenges, a series both Østli and the crown prince like: In good hands This book leaves me with two clear impressions: Firstly, that Norway, as far as the future monarch is concerned, is in very good hands. The second impression is that Kjetil Østli is an excellent non-fiction writer. For example, the first chapter of the book, about how a 17-year-old on his way to his first cabin trip with friends, receives the message that his grandfather has become seriously ill, is a strong little text that combines the solemnity of the institution with closeness, tenderness and warmth. The result of the collaboration between Østli and Crown Prince Haakon has been a highly readable and original biography. news reviews Photo: Cappelen Damm Title: “Haakon. Stories about an heir to the throne” Authors: HRH Crown Prince Haakon and Kjetil Stensvik Østli Publisher: Cappelen Damm Date: 2 November 2023 ISBN: 9788202734336 Number of pages: 560
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“Haakon. Stories about an heir to the throne” by HRH Crown Prince Haakon and Kjetil Stensvik Østli – Reviews and recommendations
