King Harald Turns 89: Celebrating Away From Home Amidst Royal Turmoil

King Harald to Celebrate 89th Birthday Away From Home Amid Royal Family Challenges

King Harald V of Norway will turn 89 on Saturday, February 21, 2026, but will celebrate away from Norway, enjoying warmer weather with Queen Sonja. The celebration comes at a turbulent time for the Norwegian royal family, facing scrutiny over connections to Jeffrey Epstein and health concerns.

The King and Queen are currently on the Canary Islands, escaping the winter cold, according to reports. While large milestone birthdays are typically marked with gala dinners and events at the palace, regular birthdays are usually private affairs. The royal family has a long tradition of traveling abroad during the King’s birthday, which often coincides with the winter holiday.

Despite the ongoing challenges, royal experts believe King Harald will be able to set aside concerns and enjoy his birthday. According to Tove Taalesen, a royal expert, the King is a modest man who doesn’t necessarily seek attention around his birthday. “He is not very interested in birthdays to begin with. It is often Queen Sonja who has initiated the celebration. As such, this day will likely be marked as other birthdays,” she said.

The past year has been particularly difficult for the royal house. Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s name appeared roughly 1,000 times in the Jeffrey Epstein files, revealing a years-long friendship with the disgraced financier. She has issued an apology, admitting “poor judgment,” but questions remain about her future role on the throne. Crown Princess Mette-Marit is battling a serious case of pulmonary fibrosis and may soon require a lung transplant, forcing her to reduce her royal duties.

Adding to the family’s difficulties, the King’s grandson, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently involved in a high-profile court case, described as the “trial of the century.” Despite these challenges, recent public opinion polls indicate a slight rise in support for the monarchy, with 69 percent of Norwegians still expressing their support, although down from previous years.

Taalesen notes that King Harald has faced difficult periods before and is a family-oriented man deeply affected by what happens within his family. “It is difficult to know what he himself experiences as the most difficult, but there is no doubt that What we have is a demanding time for the royal family,” she said. “I hope they manage to put aside both national and international newspapers and instead concentrate on enjoying the sun with good food and drink.”

She extended a warm wish to the King, hoping he enjoys a relaxing birthday with Queen Sonja and friends. “I hope he has a great holiday in Gran Canaria and manages to relax amidst everything that is happening,” Taalesen added.

TV 2’s royal expert, Ole Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen, believes it’s understandable that the King would choose to celebrate away from home. “The King is not very happy to celebrate himself, so it’s good to get away when you have a birthday,” he said. He also noted that the royal family typically travels with family members during these trips.

Schulsrud-Hansen believes the King is not overly concerned by the recent turmoil. He expressed hope that the King and Queen will have a relaxing vacation.

In Norway, February 21st is officially Flag Day in honor of the King’s birthday.