On January 25, 2025, King Harald, 87, was seen boarding a private jet at Oslo Airport, heading to Edinburgh without Queen Sonja. Speculations suggest the trip may be a hunting getaway with a friend. Dressed casually, the king’s attire aligns with his known passion for hunting. The royal court declined to elaborate on the trip, raising concerns about transparency regarding state responsibilities during his absence. Princess Mette-Marit engaged in royal duties while King Harald’s next official appearance is scheduled for January 30.
King Harald’s Private Jet Journey
On Saturday morning, January 25, 2025, King Harald, aged 87, was seen boarding a private jet at Oslo Airport, as captured in footage by the Norwegian magazine ‘Se og Hør’. The magazine reported that the king was en route to Edinburgh, and notably, Queen Sonja was not accompanying him. Sources speculate that Harald’s trip to Scotland may be for a brief getaway with a wealthy acquaintance.
Speculations About the Purpose of the Trip
During his appearance at Oslo Airport, King Harald was transported to the jet in a sleek black limousine, requiring only a short walk to board. Dressed in a dark green wax jacket, a cozy sweater, and loose-fitting pants, he completed his look with black sneakers, giving off a casual vibe indicative of private travel.
Royal analyst Caroline Vagle shared her thoughts with the Norwegian magazine, suggesting, “It appears that the king is simply going on a men’s getaway, and based on his attire, I suspect hunting might be on the agenda. This aligns well with the chosen destination.” She noted that the 87-year-old monarch is known for his passion for hunting and has participated in various hunting parties in the past.
According to Blaser Safaris, a travel provider, Scotland’s prime hunting season runs from October 1 to January 31, making it an ideal time for hunting various game such as field hares, pheasants, foxes, and deer.
The royal court has chosen to remain tight-lipped about the specifics of King Harald’s trip. Guri Varpe, the head of the palace’s communications, confirmed to ‘Se og Hør’ that the monarch was on a “private foreign trip” but emphasized that the court would not provide additional commentary on private activities. Thus, whether Harald’s journey truly involves hunting remains uncertain.
Historian Trond Norén Isaksen expressed his dissatisfaction with the court’s communication approach, highlighting concerns about the uncertainty that such private trips create among the public. “While it’s not necessary for people to know where the king travels on personal matters,” Isaksen stated, “there should be transparency regarding who is acting as head of state during his absence.” He noted that in other royal families, such as Denmark, the public is informed when another family member steps in as head of state, contrasting this with Norway’s practices.
Over the weekend, Princess Mette-Marit, 51, was the only royal with public engagements. She visited the International Library of Fashion Research on January 24 and supported the Norwegian men’s team at the Handball European Championship on January 26. It remains unclear whether Prince Haakon, 51, acted as regent during King Harald’s absence. The king’s next official engagement, an audience, is set for January 30.