Crown Prince Haakon and his son Prince Sverre Magnus are continuing with their royal duties. While the Norwegian family deals with scandals involving a criminal trial and ties to the Epstein files, Haakon and Sverre took part in a symbolic event over the weekend, boarding a reconstructed Viking longship and dressing in period garments dating back to the 9th century.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesHaakon and Sverre traveled to Nordfjordeid, where they boarded the historic Myklebust, the largest Viking ship on record in northern Europe, estimated at 25 meters long. The vessel was reconstructed from remains found in a nearby burial mound and returned to water for a day from its display hangar at the Sagastad cultural center.
The royals met with the ship's builders, who walked them through the reconstruction process in detail and boarded the ship, looking thrilled to be a part of the historic occasion.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe drakkar was narrow, light, and fast, characteristic of the years 700–1000 AD, when it was used for exploration, trade, and raids. The ship's defining features included a dragon-head prow, sail and oar propulsion, and a shallow draft that allowed it to navigate rivers and the open sea.
The ship's story begins in 1874, when archaeologist Anders Lorange discovered the charred remains during excavations of the burial mound. In Scandinavian culture, chieftains were interred in these places, with the size of the tomb reflecting their power and influence. What made the Myklebust unusual was that it had been burned, making it the only known cremation grave in Scandinavia.
Scientific analysis of bones, treasures, weapons, and offerings found at the site suggests these are likely the remains of King Audbjørn Frøbjørnsson of Frida, who died in battle in 870.
© LISE ASERUDThe scandals plaguing the royal family
The event made for a rich cultural experience, and one of the few bright spots in the Norwegian royal family's calendar year. Over the past months, the family has been dealing with the controversial trial of Marius Borg and the reexamination of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second in line of succession to the throne, has also faced scrutiny after returning home from Sydney, Australia. Last year, the Royal Palace in Oslo announced that the princess would move to Australia to complete her education, resulting in her traveling in and out of Norway to fulfill her studies and maintain her presence at key institutional events.
Her absences have sparked a public debate about whether the cost of keeping a working royal on the other side of the world is justifiable. It is one more front for a monarchy that's already navigating a deep and compounding crisis of public trust.
© Corbis via Getty Images
