Original subtitles

Based on a true story.

So you said that if you couldn't marry me, you would remain unmarried?

Yes.

What did he say?

-What he said? -Yes.

Nothing, really.

I know how hard that was for you, Harald.

It was admirable.

But I don't know what he will do.

THE COMMONER

"On the governments agenda"

AUTUMN, 1967

-I come from the Conservative's House. -Yes.

Trygve Bull gave a lecture at the Conservative Student Association.

Bull? Isn't he a radical?

Yes, and he got the entire audience agreeing with him.

We are faced with a tragic and classic conflict,

where loyalty to one person

conflicts with the calling imposed on him by an entire nation.

Is it a healthy nation, that professes equality and democracy,

to put two people on the suspense without having done us no harm whatsoever?

The parliament should get a proposal for the establishment of a republic.

A proposal I'm pretty sure will be voted down.

-Gustavsen. -This is Annemor Møst from Verdens Gang.

I come from the Conservative's House where Trygve Bull says that you, Finn Gustavsen,

is the man to present such a proposal to the Parliament.

Yes, yes, it's probably true

that I'm the one. I've never made a secret of the fact that I'm a Republican.

It's just never been fitting to bring it up.

King Olav has been a good king, but in my opinion, the monarchy

will be much weaker if we get a commoner as a queen.

"Olav V has been a good king, but he should be the last".

Surely I haven't been a good King if the kingdom ends with me?

But if the King reads Finn Moe's statement…

Yes, you'll find it on the right-hand side of the page.

Mr Moe believes that this is not the right time for such a discussion.

He believes that the principles will disappear

because of the current situation.

The current situation?

Yes. Ms Haraldsen, Your Majesty.

Yes, I understood that.

The end of the monarchy.

YOUNG MAN WHAT NOW…

"The Royal Palace refutes this. No new situation has arisen

since a similar report was officially denied three years ago".

How is that possible?

This time it must be a mere formality.

A royal doesn't have wedding plans until the engagement is announced.

Right.

No.

The Danish Royal Family denied that Princess Margrethe had wedding plans

the very same day Prince Henrik announced their engagement.

So why are they doing this now?

Perhaps it's a kind of response to the ongoing debate…

There are those who find it morally reprehensible

to forbid someone to marry the person he wants.

Or she wants.

Or her.

This is about me, Harald.

Why don't you tell me about this before I read it in the paper?

How can I tell you something I know nothing about?

In my opinion, there is as much truth in the Palace's denial

as in the Danish denials.

Good morning, Møst.

Astrid and Ragnhild went public.

The Norwegian succession is entirely dependent

on what Crown Prince Harald will do.

I agree. If he doesn't have an heir to the throne,

it will mean the end of the monarchy

that was restored in 1905.

It's not half past 8:00, and I've already written tomorrow's editorial…

Have a good day at work.

What about the children?

Oh, my God.

What kind of titles would the children get?

Thank God we have a king who is aware of his responsibilities.

He will never allow this.

And if he should allow this?

No, the law is crystal clear.

The King cannot decide this on his own.

The government's advice must be followed. If he asks for advice.

For God's sake, let's hope he does.

The government obviously wants to preserve the monarchy.

But with a very ordinary girl from Vinderen as our future queen,

we can hardly be called a monarchy anymore.

This case is complete madness.

But the strange thing about this case is that it unites political opposites.

As you know, there are very few things Gustavsen and I can agree on.

Gustavsen is a communist.

A communist? That's a bit too harsh.

But who would have thought that the Conservatives and the socialists

could agree on anything?

What will voters say if we support something that could have such an…

uncertain outcome?

The monarchy will not survive Sonja Haraldsen,

and it is my task as a minister to present some realities here.

Surely you are not going to cooperate with Finn Gustavsen?

Yes, it was long, but definitely a good meeting.

So I'll just say thank you for today, and I wish you a good weekend.

Could the Prime Minister stay behind?

Of course, Your Majesty.

So it turns out that

Crown Prince Harald has a strong desire

to marry a Norwegian girl he has known for a long time.

I would like to know what

Borten, as the country's Prime Minister, thinks about this.

Can Your Majesty tell me more? I don't know the young lady.

I'd be damned if I knew her either!

Although, the constitution states that it is the King who authorises marriages,

I want the government's and the Parliament's advice on this matter.

Yes, we can't risk the monarchy.

I need a broad acceptance.

So can Borten probe what the government

and the parliamentary leaders might think about this?

And, let's hope it's not

the most difficult case you've had to deal with.

He said he'd discuss it with the others,

and we'll see what the advice is.

But where do you think Borten stands?

It's completely impossible to tell.

I tried to read his facial expression,

there was little to discern other than seriousness.

But you are the one who decides?

When the government gives advice, we follow it.

Conservatives, Liberals, Christian Democrats and Centre Party,

they're all royalists.

Do you think it will help us?

No, I…

really don't know.

Equal pay for equal jobs!

Borten?

I see from the agenda that you're going to discuss

the Crown Prince's possible civil marriage.

The King wants our advice, yes.

Yes.

Yes… And this is where the very definition of advice comes in.

As a lawyer and the Minister of Justice, I don't share the King's view

of Article 36 of the Constitution on the King's consent to marriage.

In this case, "the King" doesn't just mean him personally,

it also includes the government and the Parliament.

I have already spoken to the Ministry of Justice's legal department about this,

and not surprisingly the answer is crystal clear.

The government's view must be given due weight.

This is not a decision the King can make alone.

It's one thing for Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid to find commoners.

This is completely different.

Yes.

No heir to the throne in any European country has ever married civilly before.

Under no circumstances must this government

be responsible for the abolition of the monarchy.

No, of course not.

We cannot support this.

Ferner and Haraldsen will make this the clothing dynasty.

Noted.

Yes, there seems to be agreement that the advice should be a crystal clear no.

I assume that you agree, Mr Røiseland?

The Crown Prince should be allowed to marry whoever he wants.

We have to give the Crown Prince permission.

We can't have a republic because the Crown Prince is too democratic.

Well, it's mostly women who are against this.

Let the meeting begin. Welcome to the government meeting.

The first item of business is the Crown Prince's possible wedding.

To agree to this is to sign up to the abolition of the monarchy

in the event of King Olav 's passing.

Those who strongly defend the monarchy as an institution

could never accept a civil wedding.

Grieg Tidemann?

Yes, it just so happens that I've met Sonja Haraldsen.

Sonja is pretty, decent and well-educated.

Not least, she has a discreet demeanour.

So, for that reason should we be brought naturally to our knees before her?

No, the majority is negative.

Exactly.

There is an alternative.

We are not violating any regulations by not responding.

Surely we must tell the King something?

Not now.

With all due respect, isn't that rather rude?

We'll see how it develops.

Who knows?

It's possible that the love between the youngsters will pass.

-It has lasted for eight years. -Exactly.

Shall we have a show of hands?

So the government decided that King Olav doesn't need a response to the request

he made to his ministers and the parliamentary leaders?

There was a majority in favour.

-Isn't that a bit odd? -What do you mean, odd?

Yes, the constitution states that the government is the King's council.

Council…

-Excuse me, do you have a moment? -Yes.

We're from the magazine Nå, and opinions are divided about

the romance between Crown Prince Harald and Miss Sonja Haraldsen.

Aktuell magazine is now running a survey.

So we're wondering, what do you think? Should Crown Prince Harald get his Sonja?

We can't allow the Haraldsen family to have privileges

that ordinary Norwegians don't have.

Everyone else thinks so.

Right, there you go.

This is going in the right direction.

Excuse me, do you have a moment? Aktuell is currently running a survey…

Your Royal Highness.

People have got used to it.

What?

Aktuell and Nå have conducted surveys among the population.

See, the bodies for political opposites agree.

I'm aware of that.

Both of them reached the same conclusion, that I should be allowed to marry Sonja.

In Aktuell's survey, 1212 people said yes and only 168 said no.

I cannot take into account what these bodies may think.

When the monarchy is at stake, I must have the support of the government

and the parliamentary leaders.

There is no other solution, Harald.

It's been over a month.

It annoys me that they don't respond.

I'm sorry, but that doesn't matter.

But, Harald, from this angle, it's quite clear that it's leaning.

-Yes. -Can you move it to the right?

Yes.

-Just a little. -Yes.

No, the other way.

Right, and a little more.

Right.

-Like this? -No, a little…

-That's perfect. -Right.

Good.

Good.

-Now it's leaning again. -No.

-Wait. -A little more.

Little more. Stop!

Good.

-These could be over here. -Yes.

You said your father is with us now.

What's taking so long?

I don't know.

Has he changed his mind?

No.

Should I put up the star?

Nice.

So you haven't told her that you've asked the government?

No. What if they say no? How would that make her feel?

Then it definitely would be over.

But still, Harald.

They aren't answering.

That's a no, isn't it?

It probably is.

I feel like I'm doing something illegal.

Do you feel that way towards her or the government?

Towards everyone, really.

Everyone has different stories.

Yes, I'd like to thank the government for the year that has passed,

and it's become a tradition that with this particular Christmas lunch,

we make a toast with a glass of the aquavit that was made

for my wife's and my wedding.

-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas.

Are you looking forward to Christmas and the new year then, Crown Prince Harald?

Well, one can hope for the best.

Yes, let's do that.

Has anyone said anything to you about what they think?

Not a word.

How do you read that?

Not positive.

The Norwegians are not ready for this, Harald.

The Parliament is not ready for this.

We are always behind what is happening elsewhere in society.

Dear compatriots.

Once again, the day has come

when the midnight bells will ring out the old year

and ring in the new.

And once again, I will have the opportunity to say a few personal words

to my compatriots.

To everyone here at home and to those of you outside the country's borders,

be it on land or at sea.

May the coming year be a happy one for everyone

and for our country.

And may it be the year that brings the world the realisation

of the glorious yet distant words of the Christmas message: peace on earth.

Happy new year.

Yes, we love this land arising

Stormbeat o'er the sea

With its thousand homes, enticing

Rugged though it be

Love it, love it, not forgetting…

And there is probably nothing that consolidates classicism as beautifully

as the famous dome in Rome's St Peter's Basilica.

Thank you.

And you, Miss Haraldsen? Have you prepared anything to show

why you're attending this class?

Yes.

I like to explore what's new, what you don't quite understand.

So with all due respect to classicism, I'm probably most interested in modernism.

The best example I can think of

is Picasso and his cubist paintings.

Cubism meant that you could see reality in a holistic way, all at once,

from all angles.

Picasso would not limit himself to one particular style.

Whenever he seemed to have settled

on one way of seeing the world,

he would change again, almost overnight.

Picasso has changed our understanding of the world.

When it comes to innovation, no one has surpassed him.

He is the…

He is the greatest innovator, but also the best example of how the new…

both captivates and offends.

This has always been the case. There has never been unanimous enthusiasm

for what is new, for what takes us forward.

Møller? It's your turn.

Can you wait a moment, Miss Skogen?

Let's see what the lofty legal minds

have to say about who actually decides this.

Can you pass this on to the Minister of Justice?

Of course.

The switchboard.

-Borten, please. -Just a moment.

This is Borten.

Have you obtained legal advice from the University on this matter

without consulting me?

It's the King who decides. Goodbye.

Gustavsen?

It's been a long time. What have you been up to?

I have been on leave.

Well, then I hope you spent your time well.

You missed a very important meeting before Christmas

where we discussed the Crown Prince's possible civil marriage.

Yes, I am of course informed of that.

Your deputy, Asbjørn Holm, expressed no opinion when the matter was raised,

so I have almost looked forward to your return.

Six months ago, Trygve Bull suggested that you should set up

a constitutional commission to investigate the possibility of a republic.

Yes.

If the Crown Prince's choice of partner

poses an official threat to the monarchy,

then surely this woman should withdraw.

What is at least clear is that if we outright threaten with a republic,

King Olav will not accept the engagement.

Yes, you're right about that.

So either you get what you want, or we get what we want.

The Crown Prince continues to search for a suitable wife.

Either way, we avoid a commoner as our queen.

Yes, let me think about that.

And Gustavsen… Hurry up, then.

What a commitment.

It's obvious why, isn't it?

Middle-aged, intellectual women never help young, beautiful women.

Oh, well.

Your Majesty.

It has now been 12 weeks since I raised with Mr Borten the possibility

of a civil marriage for the Crown Prince.

Can Bommen send a reminder to the Prime Minister's Office?

Yes, if the government so emphatically wants a monarchy after Harald,

they must be able to answer.

Your Majesty.

He can't force us to respond by a deadline.

We should probably advise the King now, if that's what he asks.

If we don't, we'll look like a government with little capacity to act.

Or the one who signed off on the abolition of the monarchy.

I need to clarify what advice the King really wants.

It won't be an advice if King Olav should imply the answer!

And on that occasion, I have a question for you, Crown Prince Harald.

How will the Crown Prince react if the King refuses to consent

to your wish to…

marry a commoner?

If I don't get the opportunity to marry Sonja Haraldsen,

my only option will be to live as an unmarried man.

What is the Crown Prince's position on the question of whether to abdicate?

That…

I haven't considered that, so I can't answer that question.

This must be minuted. Would you make a note right away?

To be entered in the government minutes from today.

I received a very dramatic message

when I was received in audience at the Royal Palace this morning.

Crown Prince Harald may consider abdicating

if he is not allowed to marry Miss Sonja Haraldsen.

Will he abdicate?

Why isn't that in the newspapers?

Well, where the press is at the moment, that's a good question.

Thank goodness they haven't picked up that the King has asked us for advice.

The meeting has been expanded

to include the parliamentary group leaders for an obvious reason.

There can be no doubt about how the Crown Prince's answer can be interpreted.

Gustavsen.

In the near future, I will take the initiative to propose

that the monarchy ends with King Olav.

Opinions, as divided as they are, among the people and the politicians,

the correct thing to do, is to appoint a constitutional commission.

The government should take a positive view of Gustavsen's proposal.

Willoch?

I believe we should not support this proposal under these circumstances.

Why not?

If things are to remain as they are, we must be open to change.

And allowing the Crown Prince to choose who he loves is just such a change.

I think he should present this to the Parliament as soon as possible,

it's my firm impression that it is becoming urgent.

-Grieg Tidemann. -There is no reason whatsoever

to fear that Sonja Haraldsen

will not have a favourable influence on the Crown Prince.

Among other things, she has made him open up more.

The royals are not supposed to open up!

-Vårvik. -Regardless of how they behave,

there will still be many who will not be able to accept this marriage.

Røiseland.

Society has changed considerably over these years.

People are more favourable to the Crown Prince entering into a civil marriage.

Bondevik.

I'm not in the habit of agreeing with Minister of Justice Selmer,

but here she has my full support.

Aarvik.

I am of a completely different opinion than that of the Minister of Justice.

There is a greater chance that the monarchy will cease upon the King's death

if His Majesty, following a statement from the government,

does not consent to

the Crown Prince marrying Sonja Haraldsen.

No, I personally cannot agree

that His Majesty should be advised to consent to this.

One should choose the negative form "do not advise against".

Do not what?

Do not advise against.

Lyng.

I see that the choice here is between two evils.

One might set in motion a development one can't foresee the result of.

Yes, I also find myself not advising against it.

I propose that we vote by a show of hands.

How many people can agree to not advise against?

The government has come to the conclusion that it would be

difficult to directly advise

the King to give his consent

to the Crown Prince marrying Miss Sonja Haraldsen. Full stop.

Capital letter.

One is therefore concluding to His Majesty, comma,

that one does not find it necessary to advise against

His Royal Highness entering into a civil marriage.

Full stop.

"The government decides not to advise"?

Is that all they could say?

That's what it looks like, Your Majesty.

What does that mean, really?

Good question.

It sounds like a no.

It's definitely not a yes.

This is the greatest crisis for the monarchy since I became King.

Only once in my ten years as Regent have I asked for advice,

and this is the government's response!

-Reprehensible! -I must agree, Your Majesty.

It took them 16 weeks!

This would never have happened with Gerhardsen.

How can I know what the Norwegian people think

if their representatives won't speak out?

If the government can't give a better answer, I'll ask the opposition.

That would be very unconventional, Your Majesty.

Yes, but is there anything conventional in this situation? Is there?

It's ridiculous.

It's nothing!

I won't stand for it!

Hello, this is Bratteli.

Good morning, this is the King.

May I speak to Mr Bratteli, Member of Parliament?

He's gone to the office. If you want him, you must call an hour earlier.

He's a busy man.

Your Majesty.

Good morning.

Marianne, what did I say about that lip smacking?

Bratteli.

Good morning, this is the King again. You told me to call an hour earlier.

May I speak to Trygve Bratteli?

-Trygve? -Yes?

There's a nut who claims he's the King.

Why don't you talk to him?

-Bratteli. -Good morning, Bratteli. This is the King.

Good morning, Your Majesty.

I have the following question. Do you have time to visit the Palace

within the next couple of days?

-Yes. -Right.

Discuss an issue.

Good, thank you. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Your Majesty. Trygve Bratteli.

I don't think such a decision is that dramatic.

No?

But no one can know for sure.

"My dear daughter.

Another week has passed.

I hope all is well in Rio and that the children are healthy.

In Oslo, it's dark and cold.

As I've said many times before, being a good king has its challenges.

The fact that it would be even more demanding to be a good father,

is probably more surprising to me.

When you have to be both at the same time,

I miss your mother more than ever.

Not a day goes by without thinking about her.

There is so much I wish we could discuss.

Especially now that I'm facing one of the most difficult decisions of my life,

where everything my dear parents built is at stake".

Your Royal Highness.

You wanted to talk to me?

Yes.

Yes.

I have made my decision.

I can't help but believe that the only right thing…

There is something going on.

What makes you think so?

Harald did not travel to Princess Benedikte's wedding

on 3rd February.

-Yes. -Sonja Haraldsen was present

-for his 31st birthday. -Yes.

But the most important difference, the one that makes me absolutely sure…

Yes?

Crown Prince Harald is so happy.

Well, I can believe that.

Sletten, you call your contact at the Parliament.

Yes.

And you call the castle, Møst.

Good morning.

This is Vegard Sletten from VG. Here's the thing.

We've received some brand new reports

regarding the Crown Prince and Miss Sonja Haraldsen.

And the question I naturally ask myself is:

Can we interpret these signals as if something is going on?

Yes, there is.

That is interesting!

Yes.

Adjutant Ørner.

Hello, Mr Ørner. This is Annemor Møst

from Verdens Gang. I'll get straight to the point.

I have it from reliable sources in the Parliament that there's something going on

in this case with Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen?

So my question to you, Mr Ørner, is whether it would be wrong of me to write

that an engagement is taking place at the Palace?

Well, the denial from 1964 is still valid.

But… I don't think you'll be doing anything wrong by writing it, Møst.

-Thank you, Goodbye, Mr Ørner. -Goodbye.

Knippe?

Satisfied?

I'm surprised at how happy I am.

And it's not just because we're going to be first.

Let's print it.

Very, very good work, Møst.

No thanks, I'm fine. Thank you.

No, thank you.

We'd better get going soon.

Yes.

It's kind of you to be able to come along and help me

with the gift for Alexander.

Yes, but of course.

Yes, but three years, that's… important. It's my first memory.

My third birthday at Stiftsgården.

And I remember very well what I got from my grandparents.

It was that sleigh, wasn't it?

Yes, the sleigh.

No…

Bloody hell.

What a load of bollocks!

Couldn't they wait until we made an announcement?

-What is it? -Now they have engaged Harald again.

Yes? Who is it this time?

The right one.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED ON HARALD AND SONJA

Yes, this is the decision I ultimately had to make as a father.

Good morning.

Schweigaard Selmer. Early bird?

Yes, sleep you can do in your grave.

VG's report has led to the engagement being brought forward for tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

The only thing we have on the agenda at the government meeting,

is to finalise the text from King Olav that will be read in Parliament.

I firmly object for the aftermath

that I have been in favour of this civil marriage!

It is noted.

Mrs Haraldsen! Is your daughter getting engaged to the Crown Prince?

But, dear sir, I know nothing about this.

You should contact the Palace, perhaps they have a better grasp of it.

What are you most nervous about?

I've been disliked for years, how can they suddenly like me?

Maybe it's a misunderstanding.

-What if he regrets it? -Who?

-The King! -Oh, I thought you meant Harald.

-You can still say no. -Yes.

"After nine years, the King finally said yes, but then Miss Haraldsen said no".

That would have been something.

I think there has been a purpose to these painful years.

Maybe you've become better equipped for the life you're going to live.

I hope so.

I need it to stay the same between us.

Oh, my girl.

Nothing else has ever crossed my mind.

Honourable representatives. From His Majesty the King,

The President of the Parliament has today received the following message:

"I hereby have the pleasure of informing you

Mr President and the Parliament, that I, together with the Prime Minister,

having sought advice from the government, from you Mr President,

and from the parliamentary leaders of the political groups,

hereby give my consent to

that my dear son Crown Prince Harald today enters into an engagement

with Miss Sonja Haraldsen, daughter of the late Karl August Haraldsen

and surviving spouse…"

Congratulations, Mrs Haraldsen.

…and convey to His Majesty and the Crown Prince the best wishes of the Parliament,

the President expresses the wish that the relationship that has been established

-may be a happy and blessed one… -Thank you.

…for the young couple who has followed their hearts.

Are you ready?

One, two, three.

Congratulations.

Did you see what she was wearing?

You don't dress in black when there's no court morning.

-I'm still not sure where this will end. -Yes. I agree.

At 12.30 p.m., the official congratulators arrived at the Palace in cars.

The presidency of the Parliament and members of the government.

So beautiful.

-Congratulations, Ms Haraldsen. -Thank you.

-Best wishes. -Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Many congratulations.

-Congratulations. -Thank you.

-Congratulations. -Thank you.

Congratulations.

Upcoming Crown Princess.

You look absolutely stunning.

-Yes, you look like a… -What you are becoming.

Are you ready?

I think so.

We start this report today 29 August 1968,

when our Crown Prince is married in Oslo Cathedral.

At the same time, the country gets a Crown Princess.

For now, her name is Miss Sonja Haraldsen. But in less than two hours,

we can call her Royal Highness Crown Princess Sonja.

And there we see that it is the King who will be driving

with Miss Sonja Haraldsen.

It would perhaps be unnecessary to provide any biographical data about

Miss Sonja Haraldsen now that Norwegian and foreign newspapers

have spent several months collecting everything

that could be collected about a human being.

But this has been characterised as a fairytale.

A commoner winning the Crown Prince and becoming Crown Princess of our country.

Let's go.