Olav V

Olaf V

, Olav V

1903--91, king of Norway 1957--91; son of Haakon VII

Olav V

 

(born Alexander Edward Christian Frederik). Born July 2, 1903, at Appleton House, near Sandringham, Great Britain. King of Norway since 1957; general and admiral (1939).

Oiav became a member of the Council of State in 1921. He graduated in 1924 from the Norwegian Military Academy and in 1926 from Oxford University, where he studied political economy. He resided in Great Britain during the fascist German occupation of Norway (1940–45). In 1944 and 1945 he was commander in chief of the Norwegian armed forces, and he returned to his country in May 1945. Olav became regent in 1955 and ascended the throne on Sept. 21,1957, after the death of his father, King Haakon VII.