List of heirs to the Norwegian throne

Traditionally the Norwegian kings had been elected by the several things held around the country. This practise often led to there being several kings at the same time. After the civil wars in the 12th century, Erling Skakke introduced a new law that there would be only one king, and that the oldest surviving son of the previous king should inherit the throne. At the same time, Erling introduced a system where the most powerful men in the country would meet with the power to veto a candidate if they found him to be unsuitable.

Erling's son Magnus V had no heirs.

1184-1204
HeirStatusRelationship to MonarchBecame heirReasonCeased to be heirReasonMonarch
Sigurd LavardHeir apparentSon15 June 1184Father became kingc. 1200diedSverre
HåkonHeir apparentSonc.1200Elder brother died9 March 1202Became kingSverre
GuttormHeir presumptiveNephew9 March 1202Uncle became king1 January 1204Became kingHåkon III

1204-1226

During the reign of Inge II there was never any clear heir, and after his death several relatives claimed the throne. At a church meeting in 1223 it was decided that the church was backing the candidacy of Håkon Håkonsson. There was no heir until his first son was born in 1226.

1226-1387
HeirStatusRelationship to MonarchBecame heirReasonCeased to be heirReasonMonarch
OlavHeir apparentSon1226Born1229DiedHåkon IV
HåkonHeir apparentSon19 November 1232Born5 May 1257DiedHåkon IV
MagnusHeir apparentSon5 May 1257Older brother died16 December 1263Became kingHåkon IV
OlavHeir apparentEldest son1262Born1267DiedMagnus VI
EricHeir apparentSon1268Born9 May 1280Became kingMagnus VI
HåkonHeir presumptiveYounger brother9 May 1280Brother became king15 July 1299Became kingEric II
MagnusHeir presumptiveGrandson1316Born8 May 1319Became kingHåkon V
ErikHeir apparentEldest son1339Born15 August 1343Treaty (brother became king)Magnus VII
OlavHeir apparentOnly son1370Born29 July 1380Became kingHåkon VI

1387-1665
Hereditary Kingdom of Norway#Unions with Denmark and Sweden

Norway became an elected kingdom, and joined several unions with Sweden and Denmark. However, the tradition arose that during his own lifetime the King would choose an heir among his sons and have him hailed as such, strongly influencing the electing council's choice.

HeirStatusRelationship to MonarchBecame heirReasonCeased to be heirReasonMonarch
FrederickHeir electSon1536Elected1 January 1559Became kingChristian III
ChristianHeir electSon1610Elected2 June 1642DiedChristian IV

1665-1814

In 1665 Frederick III signed a new law, proclaiming the kingdom to be hereditary.

HeirStatusRelationship to MonarchBecame heirReasonCeased to be heirReasonMonarch
ChristianHeir elect (from 1665 heir apparent)Son1655Elected1670Became kingFrederick III
JørgenHeir presumptiveYounger brother1670Brother became king1671Son born to kingChristian V
FrederickHeir apparentEldest son1671Born5 August 1699Became king
KarlHeir presumptiveYounger brother25 August 1699Brother became king10 December 1699Son born to kingFrederick IV
ChristianHeir apparentSon10 December 1699Born12 October 1730Became kingFrederick IV
FrederickHeir apparentSon12 October 1730Father became king6 August 1746Became kingChristian VI
ChristianHeir apparentEldest son6 August 1746Father became king3 June 1747DiedFrederick V
ChristianHeir apparentSon29 January 1749Born14 January 1766Became kingFrederick V
FrederickHeir presumptiveYounger brother14 January 1766Brother became king28 January 1768Son born to kingChristian VII
FrederickHeir apparentEldest son28 January 1768Born13 March 1808Became kingChristian VII
ChristianHeir presumptiveCousin13 March 1808Cousin became king16 February 1814Became kingFrederick VI
FrederickHeir apparentSon16 February 1814Father became king14 August 1814King abdicatedChristian Frederick

1814-1905
HeirStatusRelationship to MonarchBecame heirReasonCeased to be heirReasonMonarch
Crown Prince Carl JohanHeir electNone14 August 1814Elected15 February 1818Became kingCarl II
Crown Prince OscarHeir apparentSon15 February 1818Father became king8 March 1844Became kingCarl III Johan
Crown Prince CarlHeir apparentEldest son8 March 1844Father became king8 July 1859Became kingOscar I
Prince OscarHeir presumptiveYounger brother8 July 1859Brother became king18 September 1872Became kingCarl IV
Crown Prince GustafHeir apparentEldest son18 September 1872Father became king7 June 1905King deposedOscar II

1905-Present
HeirStatusRelationship to MonarchBecame heir;
Reason		Ceased to be heir;
Reason		Next in successionMonarch
Crown Prince OlavHeir electOnly son18 November 1905;
Elected		21 September 1957;
Became king		none (1905–1937)Haakon VII
Prince Harald,
(1937–1957), son
Crown Prince HaraldHeir apparentOnly son21 September 1957;
Father became king		17 January 1991;
Became king		none (1957–1973)Olav V
Prince Haakon,
(1973–1991), son
Crown Prince HaakonHeir apparentOnly son17 January 1991;
Father became king		IncumbentPrincess Märtha Louise,
(1991–2004), sister		Harald V
Princess Ingrid Alexandra,
(2004–present), daughter
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