The entire country mourned the death of King Haakon in 1957. When his son King Olav V died in January 1991, loyal followers gathered in front of the Royal Palace, placing lighted candles in the snow in his memory. King Olav's son took over the throne, and was crowned Harald V.

Although there are republicans in Norway, the monarchy is widely supported by the general public.

In 1968, while still a Crown Prince, Harald married Sonja Haraldsen - a commoner. King Harald and Queen Sonja have two children; Princess Märtha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon Magnus.

Norway remained neutral in the First World War, but was invaded by Germany during World War II. Haakon VII fled to England, where he remained in exile for exactly five years. He received a warm welcome when he returned to Norway in 1945.

King Haakon died in 1957 and was succeeded by his son Olaf V. King Olaf died in 1991; the present king is his son Harald V. Norway is a constitutional monarchy; the king has little real power.

King Harald and his wife, Queen Sonja, have two children, Princess Märtha Louise (born in 1971) and Crown Prince Haakon (born in 1973). The crown prince married Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby in 2001. Their first child, Ingrid Alexandra, was born on January 21, 2004. Their second child, a son named Sverre Magnus, was born on December 3, 2005. Crown Princess Mette-Marit also has a son named Marius from a previous relationship.

Princess Märtha Louise married writer Ari Behn in 2002. Their first child, Maud Angelica Behn, was born in 2003. Their second child, Leah Isadora Behn, was born in 2005.