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List of heirs to the Norwegian throne

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Traditionally the Norwegian kings had been elected by the several things held around the country. This practise often led to there being several kings at the same time. After the civil wars in the 12th century, Erling Skakke introduced a new law that there would be only one king, and that the oldest surviving son of the previous king should inherit the throne. At the same time, Erling introduced a system where the most powerful men in the country would meet with the power to veto a candidate if they found him to be unsuitable.

Erling's son Magnus V had no heirs.

1184-1204

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Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Monarch
Sigurd Lavard Heir apparent Son 15 June 1184 Father became king c. 1200 died Sverre
Håkon Heir apparent Son c.1200 Elder brother died 9 March 1202 Became king Sverre
Guttorm Heir presumptive Nephew 9 March 1202 Uncle became king 1 January 1204 Became king Håkon III

1204-1226

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During the reign of Inge II there was never any clear heir, and after his death several relatives claimed the throne. At a church meeting in 1223 it was decided that the church was backing the candidacy of Håkon Håkonsson. There was no heir until his first son was born in 1226.

1226-1387

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Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Monarch
Olav Heir apparent Son 1226 Born 1229 Died Håkon IV
Håkon Heir apparent Son 19 November 1232 Born 5 May 1257 Died Håkon IV
Magnus Heir apparent Son 5 May 1257 Older brother died 16 December 1263 Became king Håkon IV
Olav Heir apparent Eldest son 1262 Born 1267 Died Magnus VI
Eric Heir apparent Son 1268 Born 9 May 1280 Became king Magnus VI
Håkon Heir presumptive Younger brother 9 May 1280 Brother became king 15 July 1299 Became king Eric II
Magnus Heir presumptive Grandson 1316 Born 8 May 1319 Became king Håkon V
Erik Heir apparent Eldest son 1339 Born 15 August 1343 Treaty (brother became king) Magnus VII
Olav Heir apparent Only son 1370 Born 29 July 1380 Became king Håkon VI

1387-1665

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Hereditary Kingdom of Norway#Unions with Denmark and Sweden

Norway became an elected kingdom, and joined several unions with Sweden and Denmark. However, the tradition arose that during his own lifetime the King would choose an heir among his sons and have him hailed as such, strongly influencing the electing council's choice.

Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Monarch
Frederick Heir elect Son 1536 Elected 1 January 1559 Became king Christian III
Christian Heir elect Son 1610 Elected 2 June 1647 Died Christian IV

1665-1814

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In 1665 Frederick III signed a new law, proclaiming the kingdom to be hereditary.

Heir Status Relationship to Monarch Became heir Ceased to be heir Next in succession
relation to heir, dates
Monarch
Date Reason Date Reason
Christian heir apparent (previously heir elect from 1655) son 14 November 1665 Hereditary succession established 9 Feb 1670 became king George,
brother
Frederick III
George heir presumptive brother 9 Feb 1670 brother became king 11 Oct 1671 son born to king Anna Sophie,
sister
Christian V
Crown Prince Frederick heir apparent son 11 Oct 1671 born 25 Aug 1699 became king George,
uncle, (1671–1672, 1673–1675)
Christian William,
brother, (1672–1673)
Christian,
brother, (1675–1695)
Charles,
brother, (1695–1697, 1698–1699)
Christian,
son, (1697–1698)
Charles heir presumptive brother 25 Aug 1699 brother became king 10 Dec 1699 son born to king William,
brother
Frederick IV
Crown Prince Christian heir apparent son 10 Dec 1699 born 12 Oct 1730 became king Charles,
uncle, (1699–1701, 1702–1703, 1704–1723)
Frederick,
brother, (1701–1702)
George,
brother, (1703–1704)
Frederick,
son, (1723–1730)
Crown Prince Frederick heir apparent son 12 Oct 1730 father became king 6 Aug 1746 became king Louise,
sister, (1730–1735)
Christian VI
Christian,
son, (1745–1746)
Crown Prince Christian heir apparent son 6 Aug 1746 father became king 3 Jun 1747 died Sophia Magdalena,
sister,
Frederick V
Sophia Magdalena heir presumptive daughter 3 Jun 1747 brother died 29 Jan 1749 son born to king Wilhelmina Caroline,
sister
Crown Prince Christian heir apparent son 29 Jan 1749 born 14 Jan 1766 became king Sophia Magdalena,
sister, (1749–1753)
Frederick,
brother, (1753–1766)
Frederick heir presumptive brother 14 Jan 1766 brother became king 28 Jan 1768 son born to king Sophia Magdalena,
sister
Christian VII
Crown Prince Frederick heir apparent son 28 Jan 1768 born 13 Mar 1808 became king Frederick,
uncle, (1768–1805)
Christian,
cousin, (1805–1808)
Christian heir presumptive cousin 13 Mar 1808 cousin became king 16 February 1814 became king Ferdinand,
brother, (1808)
Frederick VI
Frederick,
son, (1808–1839)
Frederick heir apparent son 16 February 1814 father became king 14 August 1814 King abdicated Ferdinand,
uncle
'Christian Frederick

1814–present

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Heirs to the Norwegian throne
In personal union with the Kingdom of Sweden (Sweden-Norway); House of Holstein-Gottorp (1751–1818)
Monarch Heir Relationship
to monarch
Became heir
(Date; Reason)
Ceased to be heir
(Date; Reason)
Next in line of succession
Karl II Crown Prince Karl Johan Adopted son 4 November 1814
Adoptive father elected as king
5 February 1818
Adoptive father died, became king
Prince Oscar, Duke of Södermanland, son
In personal union with the Kingdom of Sweden (Sweden-Norway); House of Bernadotte (1818–1905)
Monarch Heir Relationship
to monarch
Became heir
(Date; Reason)
Ceased to be heir
(Date; Reason)
Next in line of succession
Karl III Johan Crown Prince Oscar, Duke of Södermanland Son 5 February 1818
Father became king
8 March 1844
Father died, became king
None, 1818–1826
Prince Karl, Duke of Skåne, 1826–1844, son
Oscar I Crown Prince Karl, Duke of Skåne Son 8 March 1844
Father became king
8 July 1859
Father died, became king
Prince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland, 1844–1852, brother
Prince Oscar, Duke of Östergötland, 1852, brother
Prince Carl Oscar, Duke of Södermanland, 1852–1854, son
Prince Oscar, Duke of Östergötland, 1854–1859, brother
Karl IV Prince Oscar, Duke of Östergötland Brother 8 July 1859
Brother became king
13 September 1872
Brother died, became king
Prince Gustaf, Duke of Värmland, son
Oscar II Crown Prince Gustaf, Duke of Värmland Son 13 September 1872
Father became king
7 June 1905
Father deposed, personal union dissolved
Prince Oscar, Duke of Gotland, 1872–1882, brother
Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Skåne, 1882–1905, son
After the personal union with Sweden; House of Glücksburg (1905–present)
Monarch Heir Relationship
to monarch
Became heir
(Date; Reason)
Ceased to be heir
(Date; Reason)
Next in line of succession
Haakon VII Crown Prince Olav Son 18 November 1905
Father elected as king, confirmed by referendum
21 September 1957
Father died, became king
None, 1905–1937
Prince Harald, 1937–1957, son
Olav V Crown Prince Harald Son 21 September 1957
Father became king
17 January 1991
Father died, became king
None, 1957–1973
Prince Haakon, 1973–1991, son
Harald V Crown Prince Haakon Son 17 January 1991
Father became king
Incumbent Princess Märtha Louise, 1991–2004, sister
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 2004–present, daughter