Original subtitles

Based on a true story.

The first time we met?

It was on a cruise in 1954.

Arranged by my mother.

Was it love at first sight?

No.

No, no, no. But we met again.

At the Duke of Kent's wedding.

- And then… - Then it didn't take long.

When will the wedding take place?

The wedding will take place on the 14th of May.

SEPTEMBER 1961

Knippe, do you have a moment?

Princess Sofia is engaged to the Spanish heir to the throne, Juan Carlos.

Yes, but are we covering the final between Fredrikstad and Haugar?

Think of all the resources we used on Princess Sofia

and all the articles we haven't printed. This is very embarrassing.

We have to take a different approach.

- How are we going to do that? - We need to find the truth.

- We must listen to the Palace. - How can we break any news if we do that?

Maybe the truth cannot be printed. After all he is the Crown Prince.

What about Sonja Haraldsen? She is only 10 minutes away. Saves us expenses.

- Rumours say it is over. - That's what they say.

It can still be the little sister Irene,

then we have all the photos we need.

THE COMMONER

"L'Amour ou la Couronne"

Your Royal Highness.

Did you receive any mail for me today?

No, sir. Not today, either.

Any phone calls?

Tomorrow, perhaps?

Svenska Dagbladet says Crown Prince Harald wants to marry Sonja Haraldsen.

What do the Swedes know. It is just rumours.

They cite sources close to the Swedish Royal Family.

Okay. What is the Royal Palace saying?

We can't wait for the Royal Palace.

Miss Haraldsen? We're from Verdens Gang.

Is it true what Svenska Dagbladet writes about yours and Harald's engagement?

Are they writing about that again?

Svenska Dagbladet is close to the Swedish Royal Court, their source is reliable.

Well, that's interesting.

What is your comment on the matter?

You can refute it. Definitely.

Are the bourgeoisie commenting on the Royal Court's affairs?

Strong denial of engagement rumours

I know it's just a local election.

It's just very hard to imagine having much more…

I suppose, more ambitions after Saturday night.

I spoke to him about it as well after the fact,

and he has little to no regard for it whatsoever.

Especially for somebody coming from a very well-respected family,

it's just strange to see him have no sense of decorum.

Would you excuse me, please?

I just have to call somebody in Norway.

The prince has taken a sudden interest in art.

"David Hockney.

New portrait collection delivers

a refreshing blend of excitement and tenderness".

Never heard that one before.

Your Royal Highness.

Could you help me exchange these into coins for the phone booth, please?

Yes, sir. I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

STRONG DENIAL OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENT RUMOURS.

- Excuse me? - Yes?

I'm terribly sorry, but could I have my notes back please?

Are you sure?

Thank you.

"The Royal Palace denies the Swedish report.

It is officially announced from the Royal Palace that the report lacks any basis."

Why does the Royal Palace deny the report the day after you did?

It's not that easy to understand.

Maybe because they want to have the last word? I don't know.

Now let's write down all the negative aspects

of marrying "a prince of the Royal House".

I'm using this.

I'm waiting.

I can come up with some arguments myself, if you like.

How about official openings of bridges?

How fun can that be? "County governor, Mr. Mayor. Dear guests."

Always having to watch what you say.

That you can't fight back in public.

Or that everyone has an opinion about you.

It's a permanent condition. Everyone know who you are and have an opinion about you,

and they feel they have a right to that, whether they know you or not.

Most people don't.

And you have to spend a lot of time on things you have absolutely no interest in.

I'll write that.

But most things are fun when you're doing them.

Yes.

The worst part is that many people feel like they own you.

- That they own your days. - Who?

Anyone.

And in a way, they do.

I don't understand why Harald is someone to mourn. You can have anyone.

No…

Has he called?

I have to remind you that it was you who broke it off.

They just said on the radio that he's home, so I thought that…

Would you like to invite some friends over? It's been a while.

Sonja, you can get so preoccupied with someone that you can lose yourself.

That's what's happening to you now, and that's not good.

Then suddenly he turns around and starts walking towards us.

And then we thought, what do we do now? We had no idea what to do,

so we took with us…

- we took the stone that… - I just need to…

Here is Dagsnytt on 15 July, 1962. We start with domestic news.

The Palace announces that the Greek Royal Family will land at Gardermoen tomorrow.

The royals will travel to Hankø, where they will stay together for a fortnight.

The world's press and audiences never tire of mixing princesses and royals,

and now they have a unique opportunity to focus on romance.

Harald and Princess Irene will be together for 14 days.

- Sailing, swimming, and likely dancing. - You know what to do.

Make sure you don't smile or look in my direction.

I wouldn't dream of it.

I have learned some Norwegian words.

Why on earth have you done that?

To please my mother, of course.

Should I say them out loud?

Absolutely not.

Good day!

- It's very nice. - Thanks.

Harald.

- Hi, welcome. - Thank you.

- Nils Jørgen. - Irene.

- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

- Hi, I'm Mariann. Nice to meet you. - Irene.

- Johan… Stenersen. - Yes, Irene.

Here you are.

- This is a beautiful place. - Thank you. We bought it five years ago.

And how long have you known each other?

Since elementary school.

- Really? - Yeah.

- Quite a long time. Yes. - Yeah.

- Would you excuse me for just one moment? - Sure.

So how are you finding Norway?

How are you?

I'm fine. And you?

Good. I'm back home now.

I can see that.

I mean, for good.

I just thought I'd let you know.

- Strange to meet again. - It's been a while.

You look great.

Thank you.

Looks like there's someone waiting for you.

Yes, I may have to keep greeting people.

Perhaps it's best that you do that.

What?

Is it true what they say about you in primary school?

- He was 12. - No! He lost well.

He always pressed me up against the wall.

He was always taller than everyone else in class as well.

It's a curse.

The princess as crew but in which boat?

I can't marry someone I don't love.

Oh.

What?

Crown Prince Harald is dating a commoner.

They've been writing about that for ages.

As sovereign, you should read more gossip columns.

They're central to a deep understanding of Britain.

What does the king of tradition think about a commoner?

Olav is his name. We're seeing him next week.

State visit in Edinburgh, remember?

Don't bring up Harald's relationship if he doesn't.

Well, I will definitely be having tea with him alone.

I'll bring it up. If it feels natural to the conversation.

Whenever you say that, you never deliver the goods.

- I do. - No, you don't.

Yes, I do.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Thank you for the magnificent reception.

You are performing your duties admirably, I must say.

- Your father would have been very proud. - Thank you.

I've been sovereign for ten years now.

Surprisingly, I'm starting getting used do it.

And what would you say was the greatest challenge during that time?

Oh, I don't know. Ten years is a long time.

You do your very best, but you still make mistakes.

Putting horses and family first would have been much easier.

- Not necessarily in that order, but… - Or maybe in that order.

It's challenging when your family suffers.

Preventing Margaret from marrying Townsend is still hard.

I don't think she'll ever forgive me.

Even now, when she's married to someone else?

Even now, after she's married to someone else.

I understand your predicament.

I would never give Harald permission to marry a divorced woman.

How is he?

He's finished Balliol. He's back home in Oslo now.

The British press are preoccupied with his relationship to a commoner.

The friendship. Friendship with a commoner.

Yes, I finally gave Astrid permission to marry a divorced man.

With Harald, it is completely different, naturally.

As we both know, an heir to the throne cannot marry a divorced person.

Nor a commoner.

And you?

Pardon?

What have been your greatest challenge?

Not having Märtha at my side.

My family disintegrated when she died.

JULY 1963

Yes, this will be exciting. With a camera and all. Very modern. We'll see.

- It's so beautiful here and… - Yes.

It's great today. Yes, it is.

THE KING RECOLLECTS

This is the first time a royal has been interviewed this way.

- Do you think he was nervous? - Definitely.

- Let's get started, Your Majesty. - Yes.

Your Majesty's father, Haakon VII,

how did he appear to Your Majesty?

Was he strict, distant, close?

I would definitely say he was close.

There weren't that many of us, there were only three of us in the family,

so we spent a lot of time together, and we had a very close connection.

And what I appreciated the most… was that

he managed to keep up with my own development so that

he always treated me according to my age, never treated me as a boy or adolescent

when I had matured,

and I hope that I have been able to do the same for my children.

The flight from New York came in a little earlier.

Good morning.

How was it?

Absolutely awful.

What?

The speech in the Chamber of Commerce.

- It couldn't have been that bad. - Yes.

It was absolutely awful. I gave the speech the government told me to give,

and I shouldn't have done that.

Too political. Lots of commotion.

My father's lack of enthusiasm for the business project was well-founded.

Well. You'll have to try again. I can practice with you.

No, not now. Not now.

Poor you.

Yes…

It's been interesting for me to be of use for Norwegian export agreements in Rio.

I see it as a meaningful way to use my role.

FEBRUARY 1964

Your Royal Highness. You are now 27 years old.

You seem, I don't know how to put it, more confident in your role

than you did when we last met you. Do you have any thoughts around this?

As you already pointed out, I'm getting older.

Well, I don't think it's older age that is the explanation.

I do not know what you are referring to.

If I can allow myself to be more direct…

You appear more confident. Happier.

Many people are naturally curious about the Crown Prince's private life.

You're not planning to marry, are you?

No, I have no concrete plans to do so.

There are rumours about both this and that.

That may well be the case, but that is not based on reality.

Your Royal Highness.

STAVANGER EVENING PAPER

We thank you for the opportunity to meet you during

your busy stay here in Rio de Janeiro and wish you a…

- Haraldsen. - Did you see the interview?

I didn't know what to say.

I can't speak my mind.

I know what I want, but I can't say it.

I just don't want you to misunderstand.

Misunderstand what?

You know what I mean.

You really should have been here now.

The light…

is amazing.

Yes… I really have to go.

- The others are waiting. - Give my regards to the press.

I am looking forward to coming home.

Me too.

- Bye, then. - Bye.

But listen! There's hysteria in the US. People are fainting.

That's all our readers care to read about right now. To follow this Beatles tour.

Yes, we'll see.

I have something else on the agenda too.

I don't know if you saw the interview with the Crown Prince about his 27th birthday.

Well, rumour has it that he's had a relationship with that Oslo girl called…

Sonja Haraldsen, for many years.

So we're running an editorial tomorrow in which we state the newspaper's position:

that the Crown Prince must be allowed to marry whoever he wants.

This is 1964. We can't have forced marriages.

And Jacobsen will be happy to explain why he's rolling his eyes.

The royal family?

Who cares?

When Crown Prince Harald returns tomorrow from his almost month-long stay in Brazil,

he will discover that questions about his future marriage

are no longer just discussed over cups of coffee all over Norway,

it has also found its way into the newspaper's editorial columns.

SUNNMØRE WORKERS GAZETTE

If the Crown Prince chooses a commoner, the monarchy has to be dissolved.

You cannot follow your heart

Without renouncing the right to the throne of Norway…

THE MORNING PAPER

…Crown Prince Harald cannot marry a commoner.

If he chooses a commoner…

THE DAILY MAGAZINE

…the inevitable consequence will be that the royal family will be abolished.

The Palace must give a statement

- Hello. - Telegram for Miss Haraldsen.

Thank you.

Miss Sonja Haraldsen, you are a disgrace to Norway.

Yours sincerely, Mr. and Mrs. Attorney Jakob Kristoffersen.

"Greater values at stake than following one's heart," says Lillehammer Observer.

"The kingdom is devalued if the Crown Prince is to marry a commoner."

Your Royal Highness. The author and royalist Odd Eidem writes

to you in an open letter that a fragment of something divine must be present

even in a democratic king's son,

and that it is your duty to live inhumanely.

"Dear Crown Prince Harald.

He who will not be true to his role

and say the lines fate has put in his mouth, must leave the stage."

Can you comment on why an important voice in society expressed himself in this way?

I have no comment on that.

He asked for my comment on my duty to live inhumanely.

So if the monarchy is abolished, it's my fault.

It's a matter of principle, it's not about you.

If the matter is me, it's hard to tell the difference.

Mrs. Haraldsen?

Democratic Norway does not want to have…

My wife and I have previously been understanding of Crown Prince Harald…

Your daughter is surely nice, but you need other qualities to represent Norway.

If the Crown Prince marries Sonja Haraldsen, her family will…

I didn't know you were home.

At least they cannot kill me.

They decide what they say and think, but I choose how I react.

Young people don't know what they're doing, but she has a mother!

King Frederik would never allow such an alliance.

The Palace must speak out

With the exception of Stavanger Evening Paper, the press is unanimous.

If the Crown Prince marries a commoner, it will be the end of the monarchy.

And then there's this.

Let's get an answer: Only the Palace can stop the discussion

Yes, look at this.

This is the pile for those who think civil marriage means the end of the monarchy.

This one is for those who think he should be allowed to marry whoever he wants.

Both piles agree on one thing.

If he chooses a commoner, it will have constitutional consequences.

Dear God.

I have been through two world wars.

I have lost a child and my husband. All I've been through has made me robust.

But I'm worried now.

I pray that it will be for the good of the young people.

Don't let the love between Sonja and Harald ruin my daughter's life.

Or for Harald, who, after five years, I have become very fond of.

In my opinion, the love between the two will not destroy Norway.

Are you ready to take notes?

With regard to the newspaper articles recently published

regarding His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's possible plans

to enter into a civil marriage,

it is hereby officially announced

that this is not the Crown Prince's intention.

Are you looking forward to the Olympics? I hear you're going to be a flag bearer.

The competition will be tough, no doubt about that. But there's always hope.

Excuse me.

European royals have arrived in Athens to attend the wedding tomorrow

between King Constantine and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark.

Tonight there is a garden party, and the guests have started to arrive.

The beautiful Princess Tatjana Radziwillis escorted by our Crown Prince Harald.

A number of newspapers have written that they are more than friends

and that an engagement is imminent.

- Have you read Today's Business? - Oh, yes.

"Get to know the beautiful princess who danced all night with Harald."

King Constantine's wedding in Athens.

Even that paper calls her princess of the year.

Poor Sonja.

He said that he cannot be forced to marry a princess. It's been six years now.

It's been that long? She's wasting her time.

- We're approaching 30. - Yes.

I find it very uncomfortable that you talk about Sonja behind her back.

Well, we are not saying anything that isn't true.

Look at Princess Astrid. On her third child. We all have children.

Shouldn't Sonja and the King consider that in the future Harald might want children?

They will never get the King's permission. It's not going to work. Everyone knows.

Fooling yourself is not good in the long run.

Someone should tell her.

- She has to hear it sometime. - Yes.

Sonja!

If I've gotten used to all the gossip, why can't they?

I understand that you're upset, but they're right.

And it's been six years. What if it never happens?

This isn't working.

No.

- For how long will you be there? - I don't know. Half a year, a year.

I think you believe I can do more than I actually can.

Yes, that's what I think.

But I've done what I could.

Under the given circumstances.

When? I have not heard of a conversation with your father.

- It has not been the right time. - It will never be the right time.

It feels irresponsible to bring that up now.

Here in the real world, that's called cowardice.

I think the others are right. This will not happen, I have to move on.

I am meeting Ilmi. She wanted to see me before I leave, I'm running out of time.

You know the way out.

Nice offices?

Thank you, Miss.

And business is booming.

Yes?

What brings you here? And how is Sonja doing?

- She went away. - Yes?

To France.

To France, but… Is it over?

No.

No?

No. She said she would call when she had settled in.

How long will she be there?

I don't know. She says she wants to learn the language from the French.

Yes, and that she's tired of waiting.

I guess you can't blame her.

No, it's… It's the worst for Sonja.

It's usually the worst for someone else.

What do you mean?

When you talk about your mother,

you always say that it was hardest for your father that she died,

although it was a terrible time for you. And now it's hardest for Sonja.

Even though that's not the case. Is it?

When will you start thinking what's hardest for you, Harald?

Are you going to visit her?

I get recognized. And then there will be new press reports and new problems.

But we'll keep in touch.

It's… Yes, that's what the ladies say.

I still believe that time will help us, as long as we are patient.

Don't you think it's possible?

To be honest, I thought so at first. But now I don't know anymore.

The longer it takes, the harder it is for us to believe it will happen.

It's been six years, Harald.

I think more people are in favour of a marriage now than when we got together.

Especially among the young. They are heard in a different way now than before.

Yes, that's right. I mean, things happen all the time.

But… the question is how much time you have.

SORÈZE

- Hello? - Hello, I was asked to call you.

Yes, I was just wondering if you know when you'll get home.

Yes. No… No, I don't really know.

It's so nice to be here. There's nobody…

Nobody stares, nobody cares. If you're friendly, they're friendly back.

If you're not nice, they're not nice back. It's so much easier to relate to.

No one whispering.

Hush.

I have to go now. But I'll call you another day. Bye.

What's up?

What are you doing?

Thank you. Here's your change.

Hello, madam. Fifty centimes, please. Thank you.

HARALD AND SONJA LOVE OR THE CROWN?

- Are you doing well? - I'm fine.

- And you and the kids? - We're fine.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Hello. Thank you.

- How are you? - Thirty centimes. I'm fine, and you?

Very well, thank you.

Thank you. Have a nice day.

21 FEBRUARY, 1967

Yes!

Yes, we need to… Let's see…

My goodness. Lots of pretty things here. Oh, my goodness.

Oh, that's beautiful.

Who's that from? Oh, the Danish Society in Drammen. That's great.

My, oh, my.

The head chef says they made an effort to make a great dinner for our friends.

- Thank you. - Thirty years is a big day.

Happy birthday.

How will you be celebrating?

There will be an event with children at the National Gallery.

As a birthday gift I get funding for three camps for children.

That's wonderful.

Remember to show that you appreciate it.

Maybe I should work on that.

What about tonight?

It will be a private dinner

here at the Palace.

Mariann and Nils Jørgen are invited?

Yes.

Johan and Yvonne?

They are coming.

Is Ilmi coming?

Yes.

So the only one… not invited is me.

The one I most want to have next to me.

I would have been there if I was invited.

Have a nice party, then.

Thank you.

Unhappy Crown Prince visits Iceland

May I have Adjutant Ørner, please.

Thank you.

I keep finding out through the newspapers, because no one tells me directly,

that Harald is referred to in the foreign press

as the unhappy Crown Prince of Norway.

You follow him closely in your work. Is this your impression?

Can Your Majesty elaborate?

That his speeches are mechanical and monotonous.

That he rarely smiles,

that he has an embarrassed body language. In Sweden, he is called Prince Melancholy.

Does Crown Prince Harald seem melancholic?

I find that difficult to answer, Your Majesty.

You know if you see him smiling.

Yes, I see him smile occasionally.

When? Because I don't see it. And obviously the press doesn't either.

I see him smiling when he is with Princess Astrid's children, Your Majesty.

Yes, that's fine, of course. But the role of uncle is not his primary job.

Isn't that right, Ørner?

Tootsie, come here.

Tootsie… Yes.

What are you doing today?

I'm going to see some friends on Tjøme afterwards.

Someone is celebrating their 30th birthday.

Yes? Is it your girlfriend's birthday?

Yes, she's back from France.

I think we should invite her to dinner with our sailing friends in July.

On board the Royal Yacht.

Yes?

I want to meet her.

Would you like to meet her?

Happy birthday to you. I have to tell you about the biggest present first.

Dad wants to see you. For dinner on the Royal Yacht later this month.

- Did he say so? - Yes.

What do you think that means?

It's a big step forward.

But why do you think he suddenly wants to?

I don't know, but…

Nothing he does is random.

Maybe it finally works out.

- Yes. - Did he say so?

We sat and… Yes, we did. I'll tell you about it later.

But that's all he said, "I want to see her."

- Can you walk me up? - You're on your own from here.

He didn't invite you to a party to be unpleasant.

- Are you sure about that? - No.

Yes, very nice. Cheers to that.

- Yes, hello. - Sonja Haraldsen.

Yes, it's going to be a great day.

Harald? We need a captain here.

- Well… - Excuse me.

By all means. You're welcome.

- It's not every day it is so quiet at sea. - No…

It's very beautiful. How does Ms. Haraldsen spend the summer?

Do you sail?

- I'm sailing a little. - Competitively?

Some. Harald and his friends talk so much about it, so I want to understand and…

Do you like skiing?

- I ski a lot. - Cross-country? Slalom?

I am a certified ski instructor in slalom. I also do a lot of cross-country skiing.

Yes, of course. Jumping?

I have jumped.

Really? I must say… That's impressive. Yes, it is.

Yes. There is a lot of joy to be found in sport.

- Right. - Both summer and winter sports.

Please top up Ms. Haraldsen's glass.

Thank you.

So, where were we?

- A lot of joy to be found in sport. - By all means.

I did a lot of ski jumping when I was younger.

Out in the snow and cold. There's something about the elements.

Goodbye, then.

Did he say anything about us?

Not a single word.

- But what was he talking about? - What do you think?

- Sports? - Summer and winter.

Yes. A fine young lady, that one.

Good night.

Your Royal Highness, you can enter now.

Yes.

Did you have a successful event in Hokksund yesterday?

Oh, yes, my goodness. It was really amazing. It was great.

No delays?

No, fortunately. It was… It went like clockwork.

- You wanted to talk to me? - Yes.

I have come to the conclusion, Father… after careful consideration that I…

If I am not given the opportunity to marry Sonja Haraldsen, I will remain unmarried.

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