King Harald V of Norway died on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Media coverage of the king’s passing predictably featured splashy photos of the monarch, dressed in resplendent regalia. (In between Dolly Parton tributes, of course!)
The late king in these portraits hardly resembles the young lad who became an honorary Girl Scout in the 1940s.
Norwegian Royals Take Refuge in Washington DC
When Germany invaded neutral Norway in April 1940, Harald, his mother, Crown Princess Martha, and his two sisters were spirited out of Norway, first to Sweden, then to the United States. His father, Crown Prince Olav, took refuge in London.
PBS fictionalized their flight in the 2021 mini-series, Atlantic Crossing.
The Crown Princess and Princess had toured the United States in 1939, and Martha completely charmed President Franklin Roosevelt. He welcomed the Princess and her children to Washington DC in August 1940, where they remained for the duration of the war. The four returned to Norway after VE Day, arriving June 7, 1945.
While in Washington, the Princess was active in charitable work, particularly the Red Cross relief effort.
What about the Children?
But what would she do with with her children? As far as her two daughters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid, the answer was enroll them in the Girl Scouts!! (Alas, Atlantic Crossing failed to mention this compelling fact.)
Harald was too young for the Boy Scouts, but apparently tagged along with his sisters.
In fact, Crown Princess Martha and the Norwegian diplomatic corps developed a deep connection with the Girl Scouts during the war years.
The Princess and her children celebrated the 33rd birthday of Girl Scouts with a party at the Norwegian embassy in March 1945. Even Crown Prince Olav (Harald’s father) attended, during one of his infrequent visits.
Early Photos of the King–and His Knees!!
About five years ago, the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital was given a series of professional photos taken during the party.
The collection shows that Prince Harald joined his sisters at the celebration and was apparently quite popular with the older girls present.
Look at those short pants!!
Girl Power Note
King Harald V has been succeeded by his son, formerly Crown Prince Hakkon. That means Hakkon’s daughter becomes first in line to the throne.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, age 22, is Norway’s first female heir apparent in 600 years. King Harald V previously changed the law of succession so that the first-born child, not the first MALE child, would inherit the throne.
© 2026 Ann Robertson, writer, editor, Girl Scout historian, but NOT a Girl Scout employee.
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