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Article: Monarchs who belong to the masses; Norway enjoys what must be a unique democratically elected monarchy, writes Foreign Editor Peter Fabricius.(News)
- Article from:
- Daily News (South Africa)
- Article date:
- November 5, 2009
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When Haakon VII, then a Danish prince, was asked to revive Norway's long-dormant monarchy in 1905, as the country became independent from Sweden, he insisted on a referendum first.
The people voted overwhelmingly in favour.
More than a century later, his grandson, King Harald V, and his Queen Sonja, remain popular among their people and just as ready to submit to the democratic will.
Asked last week if he thought the monarchy was a permanent institution in Norway, King Harald replied: "What is permanent? As far as it looks now, there is nothing at the moment that points at a change of any kind. But we are here as long as the people want us to ...