Queen Sonja was born as Sonja Haraldsen on 4th July 1937 in Oslo. Her parents were Karl and Dagny (nee Ulrichsen). Sonja grew up alongside her three older brothers; Haakon (1919), Gry (1924) and Karl Herman (1929). Sonja received a diploma in dressmaking from the Oslo Vocational School. After this Sonja attended a finishing school in Switzerland before returning to Oslo to study French, English and Art History.
Sonja married Crown Prince Harald of Norway on August 29th 1968. Harald and Sonja have two children together, Princess Martha Louise (22nd September 1971) and Crown Prince Haakon (20th July 1973). They also share five grandchildren, Maud, Leah & Emma (Martha Louise's Children) and Ingrid Alexandra & Sverre Magnus (Haakon's Children). Sonja also has a step grandson Marius, the step son of Haakon.
As Crown Princess Sonja established the Queen Sonja International Music Competition. In 1991 her father King Olav V died and Sonja became the Queen Consort. Since becoming Queen, Sonja has visited Antarctica, received army basic training and was appointed Rear Admiral in the Royal Norwegian Navy as well as a Brigadier in the Norwegian Army. In 2006 she established the Queen Sonja's School Award to promote inclusion and equality in Norwegian schools. In 2011 Queen Sonja demonstrated her love of art by establishing the Queen Sonja Nordic Art Award.
Queen Sonja is a hard working royal. She supports her husband thoroughly and undertakes many engagements by his side as well as her own projects and engagements.
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