Original subtitles

Based on a true story.

Copenhagen, to attend a ball.

AUTUMN, 1959

He must find a princess if the monarchy is to continue.

If the Sonja Haraldsen-story is true, that's bigger news than this.

Crown Prince Harald is too nice to do anything that could harm King Olav.

THE COMMONER

"Conscience"

JANUARY, 1960

They won't say anything?

-About us? -Yes.

No, that actually won't happen. Surprisingly enough.

-Yes! -Oh, yes?

Thank you very much.

I will have to go to England to study this autumn.

For how long?

Two years.

I did not know that.

Things were finally starting to get better after losing mom.

I don't know anyone there.

-Except for the Queen. -My father is closer to them than I am.

-I dread it like a dog. -Harald, you don't have to do anything.

Unfortunately, there are lots of things I have to do.

I'm sorry, I have to go. Council of State.

There you are. Yes.

Just take a look. They'll be here in ten minutes.

It is important that we are well informed on issues presented by the government.

We sign resolutions, but not blindly. Even if we can't overrule it.

Because sometimes you disagree, right?

Yes, but if I go against my own government then we may have a constitutional crisis.

But sometimes you really want to say something.

There aren't many places where we can speak our minds or influence decisions.

That's just the way it is. You'll be able to run this house one day.

I've been thinking about your birthday. Shouldn't we invite some princesses?

Sofia, for example. You seemed to hit it off last time they visited?

Or Princess Irene. She has become a very talented pianist. Princess Margaret.

I don't know. I want to invite people from my social circle of friends.

What about Princess Margaretha? You seemed to get along when we were in Sweden.

I have prepared my own list of names.

Give them to Bommen. I'll review them before he sends out the invitations. Come.

Your Royal Highness.

Your Majesty. Sonja Haraldsen.

-Your Royal Highness. -Welcome, Ms. Haraldsen.

-Oh, yes. -Especially on the sailboat with Harald.

Yes.

It is with great pleasure I welcome you to a friends' dinner on the occasion

of Crown Prince Harald's 23rd birthday.

Your mother, Crown Princess Märtha, would be very proud of you on a day like this.

Because I was lucky enough to marry her, your life has been blessed with two things

that I didn't get to experience growing up.

Namely, siblings and attending ordinary school among the people.

I myself was a very lonely child.

And you've been lucky to have Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid.

And when I see you here tonight with friends you already met in primary school,

the relationship is somewhat different from the ones you make as an adult.

I myself have wished for the kind of friends one has had throughout one's life,

and am therefore very grateful

that your mother made sure that you got

regular schooling with the people whom you are to serve.

When you one day find she who will be the queen of Norway,

among those who are also born into the tradition we are a part of,

I am absolutely sure that you who are here tonight

will be a good support for these two in their work.

One must be born into this role in order to be able to live it.

But we all need friends.

So I'd like to propose a toast to the jubilee.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Wasn't last night very nice?

Yes. It was nice.

Is it a good idea for you to write the thank you card?

The others thought so. It just shows that I'm a polite person.

Do you remember the first time you met grandpa?

Yes. But I don't recall being afraid to meet him.

Father and I came from large families. There was little money,

and nothing came with either of us apart from my life insurance policy.

We could take a mortgage when the stock market crashed.

But we had a lot of fun.

What do you think of this?

"Your Majesty, on behalf of all of us who had the honour of being your guests,

we send our warmest thanks.

Sonja Haraldsen."

Bommen, is Sonja Haraldsen on the list of invitees when Princess Margaretha arrives?

She is.

Damn!

Can you pay attention to Margaretha?

Of course.

-Hi. -Hi.

-How are you? -Very well, thank you.

The event tomorrow. How long will it take?

-The ski jumping? -Yes.

Two and a half to three hours, I guess.

Will there be a break?

Well, no. Maybe a short one between the first and second half.

Sounds good.

Yes.

The famous Norwegian polar explorer and scientist Fridtjof Nansen

once said to my father King Haakon,

"If you want to be a good king for Norway, you must focus on sport.

Go skiing, stand on the grandstand with the people celebrating their heroes."

So every year, my family is present at the Holmenkollen Ski Festival.

This year we're delighted to have a visit from King Gustav Adolf,

Queen Louise and Princess Margaretha from Sweden.

Let's just hope we beat the Swedes in the 50 km cross-country race.

Never with Rolf Rämgård racing.

-A toast for Sweden. -Cheers.

Is there somewhere to warm up if your feet gets cold?

No, there's not much of that.

Don't worry about that.

No, by all means. A beautiful Swedish princess flirting…

But they probably lack the chemistry. I mean, look at them.

-Maybe she doesn't have a sense of humour. -No.

-It will be fine. -Let's hope so.

-Would you excuse me for a moment? -Yes.

-Hi. -I heard you laughing.

I heard a story I didn't know about. About Nils Jørgen.

Then we'll get you.

Imagine Sverre Stensheim won again, and we had a triple Norwegian podium. Fabulous.

Is everything okay with Harald's studies at Balliol in the autumn?

-Is he dining here tonight? -He's going to the cinema, Your Majesty.

That's a lot of cinema-going. French movies this time too, right?

We are turning down Princess Margaret's wedding in London.

She could have found a husband who would have helped her, and not least her sister.

Not run off with a dandy of a photographer.

I think the entire court here agrees with you, Your Majesty.

If there are any reactions, we'll use Harald's Oxford-stay as a consolation.

Bommen, make sure that Sonja Haraldsen is removed from the invitation list.

-For all events? -For all events. We can't let this go on.

-I will make sure of that, Your Majesty. -Good.

And be careful with the plates. They are hot.

-Help yourself, Harald. -Thank you.

Smells delicious.

-Just eat. -Thank you.

-Why are you eating so fast, Harald? -Am I eating fast?

Yes, you eat fast.

Yes, it is… maybe it's because at the Palace,

the King sits at the end of the table, and the youngest child sits at the bottom.

-The furthest away. -Yes?

Yes, and when the king stops eating, so does the serving.

So if you want a second serving, you have to eat very quickly.

To make it.

-Here everyone eats as long as they want. -Yes.

Help yourself. Please.

Ilmi is getting married, and I will be the bridesmaid.

-How nice. -Yes.

Why don't we just invite him to the wedding? We'll send an invitation.

But we don't invite when we know the answer will be no. Definitely not.

It must be lonely life at the Palace. Think of all they're missing out on.

Take this, for example.

You are as beautiful as Grace Kelly.

At least almost.

Do you want a short or long dress for your wedding?

I haven't given that any thought.

Sure you have.

I've spoken to the London office.

British papers report that Crown Prince Harald's engagement to Princess Sofia

is now imminent.

They've been writing that for a while.

Yes, but the Greek embassy in Norway has sent out information about Princess Sofia

to all the Norwegian newspaper editors. So they seem to be absolutely sure.

And Crown Prince Harald is travelling to Corfu on Friday,

and Queen Frederica, Sofia's mother, is a kind of matchmaker for the royals.

She's having a gathering on the island

so that all the young ones can get to know each other better.

We should be there when it happens.

This is getting awfully expensive.

The Crown Prince's engagement? Won't it be more expensive not to go?

And what about you?

And what about me?

It can't be any fun for you to watch this.

She is my best friend. It's nice for me to see her happy.

-Make sure you don't waste your youth. -What do you mean by that?

I can't go to a dinner party without you being "the topic of conversation".

-So. Is that how it is? -Yes, it's obvious what's about to happen.

What is about to happen?

-Do you want a direct answer? -Very much indeed.

Sonja. You're far too good to be known as the one who didn't get the Crown Prince.

And the whole kingdom.

What will you do when you get there?

The plane lands in Corfu at five o'clock, and then we'll probably…

I don't know. This is just for fun, so I haven't looked too closely at the program.

No, but there will be dinner.

Yes, we have to eat.

Then there will be dancing.

I don't know.

But it's Queen Frederica who's organizing, so there will be dancing, so to speak.

I would much rather be here.

Why is that, then?

It's not as hot. For example.

There's nowhere better to be than in Norway in the summer.

The sea smells better.

Have a nice trip.

At least this time it's Sophia and Harald

Then he said, "Sonja,

you're too good to be known as the one who didn't get the Crown Prince.

And the whole kingdom." And then he just left.

It's that creeping approach to it.

It looks like a kind of caring attitude, but it's really about everything else.

He just has to say that Harald and I will never have each other.

Einar has probably always had a thing for you.

Strange way to show it.

What exactly does Harald do in Corfu?

It's an event that's

all about princes and princesses getting together and…

He said he'd rather stay at home. "The sea smells better."

-How did you know he was in Corfu? -I read newspapers.

What does it say? Princess Sofia?

-Photo? -Well, I didn't read it properly.

No…

Why should I believe in this?

-You know I do. -And so do I.

Look at everything that's happening around us?

I'm absolutely certain that this will be the decade of change.

I wouldn't be surprised if we went to the moon soon.

Exactly. I'm the equivalent of going to the moon.

It wasn't meant that way, Sonja.

If I must share him with all of Norway, I'll just have to get used to it.

As long as I don't have to share him with Greece.

-Happy birthday, Sonja. -Happy birthday.

You'll have the opportunity to get to know the King at the dinner in August.

-Dinner in August? -Yes.

There's a dinner planned for Harald before he leaves for Oxford.

But it's been a while since those invitations were sent out, so…

A message came all the way here. From Harald.

Why hasn't Sonja Haraldsen been invited to the farewell dinner with my friends?

-She is on my guest list. -I cannot comment on His Majesty's wishes.

Could it be due to an error?

I'm so sorry, but it can't be an error.

-Are you sorry about that? -What should I say?

We're against his choice of girlfriend? That he's jeopardizing all the jobs here

by spending time with this Sonja Haraldsen?

-Your Royal Highness? -Is the King here?

Yes, but I wouldn't go in there now.

Someone I like has been removed from the guest list.

-I don't want her there. -What do you mean?

You know perfectly well what I mean. The Norwegian people are not ready.

But they are ready for television.

And just before I am on air, I get the speech!

The Palace knows that I like to be precise and prepared!

I hope that Norwegian television will be up to the task,

and be able to entertain, educate…

-Hello. -…provide new experiences,

provide new impulses, and that it must contribute

to making life better and happier for everyone in our dear fatherland.

With these words,

I declare the television open for ordinary operation.

Here you go.

I just managed to get it ready in time.

-Fits perfectly. -Yes.

-Thank you very much. -My pleasure.

Did you talk to your father about the dinner invitation?

Unfortunately, he is the one who decides who is invited to the farewell dinner.

He's figured it out.

One has to assume that. He doesn't say anything.

You can't talk to him about us?

I'm afraid it will only put further restrictions on us to be together.

The Constitution says that I need my father's permission to get married,

and I can't get that now.

But… I hope we can wait for each other.

If we take our time, it might get easier.

We…

I've made some supper. Would you like some?

-Yes, please. -Would you help me serve, Sonja?

I'm terribly sorry about the invitation.

It's just that there is no heir to the throne in Europe that has done it.

I feel like I'm doing something illegal. But things are happening.

Will I be able to get her in the end?

Well…

Yes, I think so, Harald.

Sometimes I get knitted garments as gifts, but never from someone I know.

Mom knitted.

That was long ago.

Sofia is not coming to Norway.

If you look at Crown Prince Harald's program for the near future you find out

that it will be very difficult for him to be present during any visit.

So the engagement that the Greek press seems to be sure of

will not happen until Harald returns from Oxford.

CLOTHES AND DRESSES KARL A. HARALDSEN

They… They were here yesterday too.

One of them even took a picture of Mrs. Granum.

I had to give her a discount on a skirt so she would calm down.

Where do they get it from? It's not like you're out on the town.

Sofia did not arrive as planned.

Sofia who, came where?

Princess Sofia of Greece. To Norway.

I only read Aftenposten.

They realise that there will be no engagement, and the rumours continue.

Sonja…

Can you think of any other tasks? Not being on the floor here in the store?

No. Out! Get out! Out!

I've cleared shelves and registered incoming goods. I can't sit in an office!

Yes, Haakon mentioned it.

-You talked about it without telling me? -Yes, we did.

So I'm going to work in the warehouse instead of in the store?

-Yes, you have to, for a while. -This is about my life.

-Yes, and it's about his life. -I am your daughter!

Yes, and he's my son, and it's not always easy to manoeuvre in that landscape.

People come in and take pictures. They stare.

We have a business to run, Sonja. Deal with it.

I can't work in the warehouse. But I take my A-levels in one year at Bjørknes.

What do you want to use it for?

To get a degree in education. English. French.

But that's not what your father wanted.

No, that's what your father wanted.

My father wanted me to take over the business under different circumstances.

He would be proud that I now want to become a teacher.

No one can deny me that.

No.

No.

I am the only one to decide.

I will talk to my father, Sonja.

Yes.

I'd say, fully trained already.

You're earlier than I thought.

Yes. The meeting at Buckingham Palace was postponed, so I wanted to visit you first.

Yes.

This is almost like being 20 years old again.

I can show you my quarters if you…

Yes, please. I just thought I'd stop by here first.

Is Lindsay still here? He had just become principal when I started.

Yes, very special man.

Apparently with his very clear and socialist views.

Not that he was trying to push all that on us, but…

Yes…

this brings back memories. Oh, my goodness.

I have given permission for Astrid to marry Ferner.

-Really? -Yes.

I'm very unsure how this will be received. I don't think Norwegians are ready for it.

But Astrid has supported me since mother died, and she wants her own family, so…

Yes.

She's not the heir to the throne, and she's asked for this for five years,

-so we'll make an announcement next week. -That's nice for her.

Yes, this means that her term as Norway's first lady is over.

And we will need a new one.

Now it's just you and me.

You will have a completely different responsibility when you're done here.

I chose not to address our case,

because now it's going in the right direction.

We just have to be a little careful.

And suddenly he just said yes to Astrid. That's a huge step forward.

Maybe it can work for us now, too.

-Hello? Are you there? -I'm here.

Yes, aren't you happy?

He was right about there being a commotion.

"Astrid did not follow the path of duty." VG.

Vårt Land: "Recommends another man."

"The engagement creates a stir in the Norwegian church." Dagbladet.

"The engagement is now the topic of conversation in Europe." Morgenposten.

The bishop in Oslo refuses to marry them. Nor does the priest at Asker Church.

"The King has consulted with Prime Minister Gerhardsen."

What does he say?

"That Ferner naturally cannot represent."

"Norway wants a new first lady as soon as possible."

They say the King said yes to Astrid because she is not an heir to the throne.

And now she renounces the possibility of inheriting the throne.

Harald. Norway cannot have a queen who cannot represent.

Does your sister know about us?

No… We never speak about these things.

-Never? -No.

We don't ask too many questions in my family.

-In my family, we ask a lot of questions. -So I have noticed.

Yes, it's called caring.

Yes. People can view that in different ways.

I have to go now.

Does no one want to marry her?

Fjellbu speaking.

Perhaps Bishop Fjellbu has seen that the Bishop of Oslo won't marry my daughter?

Not even the local priest?

Well, no. No, unfortunately not the priest in Asker, either.

We've known each other since the war, you helped my family through our grief.

I will never forget your words when my wife passed away.

So now we have an event that should have been filled with joy.

But it seems that not many people see it that way.

Good day.

Excuse me, could you unlock the door to the sacristy?

Excuse me? Hello, excuse me?

I'm Bishop Arne Fjellbu. There must be a mistake. The sacristy is locked.

I'm afraid so. I've been strictly instructed to keep it locked.

But I need to get in there. Could you please open the door? I need to change.

I'm sorry.

I've come all the way from Trondheim, and I need a place to change.

I need a place to make the preparations, because I'm going to marry Princess Astrid

and Johan Martin Ferner.

I see.

I'll change in the car, then. Thank you for your help.

We are now inside Asker Church,

where the wedding bells are finally ringing

for Princess Astrid and manager Johan Martin Ferner.

For the past hour, guests from home and abroad have filled Asker Church.

And now it is reported that the royal guests are also about to arrive.

But first, the man who will shortly become part of our royal family.

Johan Martin Ferner, stylishly in tails.

Prince Viggo, Count of Rosenborg, and his wife.

Close behind are Prince Bertil and Princess Margaretha of Sweden.

And here we have Count Flemming and Ruth of Rosenborg.

Even a seasoned journalist is dazzled when British Princess Margaret

and Earl of Snowdon, Antony Armstrong-Jones arrives.

Princess Margaret!

No sight of Princess Sofia.

No.

Our own Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Margrethe of Denmark.

And, finally, here she comes, Princess Astrid.

The beautiful bride is escorted by her father, King Olav.

The Palace announces the wedding dress is from Molstad

and consists of tulle with silk lace.

Dear bride and groom.

Remember the parable from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount about the two builders.

The wise man built his house on the rock, the foolish man built his on the sand.

The two of you will now build a home.

All of us here today wish that there will be many bright and happy days

in the home that will be sanctified today.

But you also know, both of you, that life can bring stormy weather.

Crown Princess Märtha's name will be mentioned today.

We all felt the grief that shook you and all our people when she died.

Today, we allow her deep love to flow towards us here in Asker Church.

Then I ask you, Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg,

in the sight of God and in the presence of this assembly,

do you take Johan Martin Ferner, who is standing by your side, to be your husband?

I do.

Will you live with him according to God's holy word,

love and honour him for better or worse until death do you part?

I will.

Likewise, I ask you, Johan Martin Ferner, in the sight of God and this assembly,

do you take Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg, standing by your side, to be your wife?

I do.

Will you live with her according to God's holy word,

love and honour her for better or worse until death do you part?

I will.

So take each other's hands.

I have to leave very early tomorrow, but I just had to see you.

Just for a little while.

He kissed Swedish Princess Madeleine

when he picked her up at Fornebu for Astrid's wedding.

And he was exceptionally cheerful when he met Princess Margaretha at Østbanen.

Perhaps he was in a good mood that day and was teasing us.

Maybe we should look at why he's a bit more "playful".

Sonja Haraldsen.

Now that Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid are married

and will not take over the throne,

the time has come to address the rumours that circulated for a year and a half.

But there's no word from the Palace.

Daily Sketch writes that Sonja has had a nervous breakdown.

Apparently because the Palace has forbidden her

from knowing and meeting the Crown Prince. She has been threatened with deportation.

But we certainly don't refer to that.

We could write an article defending the royal family.

Yes, do our British colleagues believe that Norway is a medieval principality.

Yes, it's not a crime to know a crown prince? How about that angle?

"And the world press had to take a second look.

They spotted Sonja Haraldsen.

23-year-old Oslo-girl and known as a good friend of Crown Prince Harald."

Too bad your name isn't Anne Hansen. Then there would be more to choose from.

Haraldsen.

Your daughter Sonja Haraldsen is a traitor who destroys everything.

You don't say, madam?

She's a spoiled west-end girl who is going to ruin…

Who was that?

Someone was annoyed with the store's opening hours.

You can't let it get to you.

I'm not very good at dealing with being so unwanted.

You are not unwanted.

Any thoughts on when you will talk to your dad?

As soon as I get home.

I'm so looking forward to see you.

I look forward to seeing you, too.

There you are.

-How was the flight? -Fine.

-No delays? -No delays.

Yes, nice that you could visit. July will be a busy one for me.

There's a state visit to Finland, the anniversary of Drammen city

and Svalbard at the end of the month. So I'm taking a few days now.

What are you doing?

No, I'm just tinkering with some equations.

It requires a kind of concentration that is the only thing that

frees me from all my worries, so…

How was your trip to Iceland? The Bergen International Festival?

Well. But I have the impression that people would have preferred grandfather.

With all the qualities he had, which I don't have.

But let me ask you instead. How was the wedding of the Duke of Kent?

Yes, it went well. It was nice.

Probably a number of royals present then? Was the Greek royal family represented?

Crown Prince Constantine. And Princess Sofia was there.

Yes?

Yes, she seemed to be having a great time with Juan Carlos.

Yes.

The chef found some delicious fish for our dinner today.

I've been invited to visit some friends at Tjøme afterwards.

Well… As long as it's friends.

Because Norwegians are not ready for anything else. Do we agree on that?

Yes, Dad.

Damn.

The mustard sauce will never be like your mother's.

I've told them several times.

"Follow the recipe carefully", I say. But no, it will never be exactly the same.

You said on the phone that there was something you wanted to talk about.

It can wait.

Hello there, oh, dear!

-Do I smell like fish? -Yes.

Yes, it wasn't the right time to talk to him today. I feel so guilty.

We got all summer.

I have to have dinner with my dad before being driven to Fornebu.

Don't leave.

What is it?

You're not going to talk to him about us before you leave, are you?

We need to be patient.

If I'm going to endure being stared at,

all the newspaper articles, the photographs,

feeling so unwanted, then at least I have to believe that it can be us.

I wish I could say that with certainty.

But then it doesn't work, does it?

What do you mean?

You say you will talk with him, then you don't. You don't keep your promises.

He has enough as it is!

Maybe he's not so negative about me after all. You have to at least try.

No! You don't know my father!

So what shall we do, then?

It can't be like this.

No, it can't be like this. I'll talk to him, but not now.

But then I will not continue this.

Your Highness, we are running out of time.

-Give me a minute! -No, you can just leave.

-Sonja, please. -Leave.