Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway is taking on new responsibilities. The youngest son of Crown Prince Haakon and Mette Marit is stepping up within the royal family, assuming a more prominent role in duties and engagements as his mother opts for a more withdrawn approach to public life.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesSverre's new role makes for one of the royal household's biggest surprises in recent years, with these developments following a year mired with controversies and health complications for Mette Marit.
Stepping up when the family needs it most
The Norwegian Royal House is navigating an unprecedented moment. Due to Mette-Marit's connection to Jeffrey Epstein and the ongoing trial involving her son Marius Borg, the royal family has been facing increased scrutiny from the media and the public, with Mette-Marit having to provide explanations to the world as she copes with an evolving pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis.
© Per Ole HagenSverre's involvement in royal life is seen as a part of a broader effort from the family to maintain a presence in the engagements that make up their royal duties. In the coming days, Sverre will join his father in Nordfjordeid, in the west of Norway, for an official visit on April 25th, marking a larger presence than the one he's had in past years. marked presence than one he's had in past years. Father and son are expected to visit the municipality and to be a part of the launching of the Myklebust ship, a celebration that highlights Norway's immense maritime cultural heritage.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesThe event is expected to be formal and protocol-driven while also serving as a special bonding moment between Haakon and Sverre, with the two expected to take on the roles of crew members and rowers and to work together as a team.
Over the past year, Sverre has been showing a new side. Last May, he was featured on the balcony of Oslo Palace for National Day, wearing a suit and a top hat, a gesture that many took as a representation of his new status in the family. In past months, he's been photographed wearing sharp suits and elegant jewelry, changing his public image from a boy prince to a young man deeply involved with his family.
© NTB/AFP via Getty Images
