No longer ‘Her Majesty’: Norway’s Queen Sonja loses official Royal House status following King Harald’s death

Queen Sonja (centre), the widow of King Harald V, is no longer allowed to be called ‘Her Majesty’ as her official status shifts following the rise of Norway’s new royal family: (from left) King Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. — AFP pic

First Published: Tuesday, 13 Oct 2026 11:10 AM MYT

COPENHAGEN, Oct 13 — Following the death of her husband, King Harald V, in August, Queen Sonja of Norway is no longer officially listed as a member of the Royal House on the Norwegian royal court’s website, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Instead, the 89-year-old queen’s portrait is sorted into the category “rest of the royal family”, Norwegian media reported on Monday.

Sonja’s son, the new King Haakon VIII and his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, along with 22-year-old Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, are listed as the sole members of the Royal House.

“The Royal House includes the respective reigning monarch with their spouse, as well as the next in line to the throne of the subsequent generations and their spouses,” the website states. 

“The term royal family also encompasses the rest of the monarch’s family.”

Joining Sonja in that category are her daughter Princess Märtha Louise, 55, and her 20-year-old grandson, Prince Sverre Magnus, who stands second in the line of succession after his sister Ingrid Alexandra.

Following Harald’s death at the age of 89, Queen Sonja is now also no longer referred to as “Majesty” — this form of address now applies only to the royal couple. — Bernama-dpa