Norway, like other European monarchies, celebrates the birthdays of members of the Royal Family, which are Flag Days (holidays and memorable dates in honor of which the national flag is raised in places established by law), but are not national holidays in this country and official weekends. Although these days it is customary to hold a number of ceremonial events.
On July 4, Norway celebrates the birthday of Queen Sonya —, wife of King Harald V (King of Norway since 1991).
Queen Sonja, born Sonja Haraldsen, was born on July 4, 1937 into the family of a wealthy merchant. She grew up in Oslo, graduated from a regular gymnasium, then studied to become a fashion designer at one of the capital's vocational schools and at the school of crafts and arts in Lausanne. Already a princess, Sonya finished her education at the University of Oslo, where she studied cultural history, French and English.
Sonya Haraldsen and the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Harald, had known each other for almost ten years before they received permission to engage. As heir to the throne, he waited nine years for permission to marry the king with an ordinary girl from the people. On August 29, 1968, their wedding took place. Norwegians say that by becoming crown princess, Sonya won the prince's heart, and by becoming queen, she also won the heart of Norway.
Sonya became a beautiful queen. The royal couple have two children: daughter Princess Martha Louise (1971) and son — heir to the throne Crown Prince Haakon Magnus (1973).
Queen Sonja conducts extensive representative and social activities: she patronizes a number of organizations with great success, including the Norwegian Red Cross Children's Aid Branch, the Norwegian Union of Children and Youth, and the Norwegian Union of Craftsmen. Queen — is an honorary member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences, the Philharmonic Society, and was vice-president of the Norwegian Red Cross, patronizing the annual international music festival that bears her name.
Her work in helping refugees through the UN is widely known, for which Sonya was awarded the Nansen Commemorative Medal.
As a member of the royal family, she received military training and was promoted to colonel of the ground forces, air force and captain first rank. The Queen enjoys skiing, sailing, and fishing.