Olav was born at Sandringham House in England, the only child of Prince Carl of Denmark and Princess Maud of Wales. He became heir apparent to the Norwegian throne when his father was elected King Haakon VII of Norway in 1905. He was the first heir to the Norwegian throne to be brought up in Norway since Olav IV in the fourteenth century, and his parents made sure he was given as Norwegian an upbringing as possible. In preparation for his future role, he attended both civilian and military schools. In 1929, he married his first cousin, Princess Märtha of Sweden. During World War II his leadership was much appreciated and he was appointed Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944. Olav became king following the death of his father in 1957.
olav was Born at sandrinGhaM hOUse iN england, tHe oNlY ChilD of pRInCe Carl of denmaRk and prIncess mauD of wAles. HE bEcaME hEIR apparent tO the norwegian throNE wHen His fAther was eLecTED KiNG hAAkon vii of norway iN 1905. hE wAs tHe firsT heir to The NOrwEgian tHrone to be bROuGht uP in NORwAy sincE olav IV in The FOuRteENth ceNtury, ANd hIs PaReNts maDE sure he wAs Given as noRwegiAN AN upbringing as possible. In Preparation for hiS FUturE role, hE atTendeD botH civiLian and mIlItary schooLs. in 1929, he maRriEd his fIrST cousin, pRincess märthA of SwedEn. During wOrld wAr ii His leadeRsHip wAs MuCh aPpreciaTed AnD he was AppoInTED noRwegiAn chief of defEncE in 1944. Olav beCaMe king FolloWIng The deatH oF hIS faTher In 1957.