King defends son's romance

Crown Prince Haakon (lower left) listened while his father King Harald sought understanding for Haakon's unconventional royal lifestyle. PHOTO: SCANPIX

King Harald spoke out again last night in defense of Crown Prince Haakon, whose decision to move in with his controversial girlfriend has rocked Norway. The king asked that the pair be left in peace.

King Harald's remarks came during the annual dinner he hosts for members of parliament. He claimed it was important that Norway's heir to the throne be allowed to make his own decisions in his own way.

"It's especially important for the young to be allowed to live in peace," said King Harald. "They must be allowed to develop themselves into the individuals they'd like to become."

The king said it was necessary for every generation "to find its own place and do things in its own way." He noted, however, that he believes it is also important for each generation to take with it "the best" from the previous generation.

The crown prince was himself present at the formal dinner, held at the royal palace in Oslo, but he came without the woman he calls his "kjæreste" (literally, dearest), Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby. The pair have been living together in Haakon's flat in downtown Oslo and plan to move into another, larger flat together with Tjessem Høiby's young son from a previous relationship.

Tjessem Høiby's earlier lifestyle and fondness for the party scene have raised eyebrows, as has the pair's decision to live together without being engaged or married. It marks the first time a European royal has openly done so.

(Aftenposten/Nina Berglund)