Maud of Wales

In June of that year, the Norwegian parliament, Storting, dissolved Norway's ninety-one year-old union with Sweden and voted to offer the throne to Prince Carl. Maud's membership in the British royal house had some part in why Carl was chosen. Following a plebiscite in November, Prince Carl accepted the Norwegian throne, taking the name of Haakon VII, while his young son took the name of Olav. King Haakon and Queen Maud were crowned at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on 22 June 1906, the last coronation of a Scandinavian monarch.

Queen Maud never lost her love of Britain, but she quickly adapted to her new country and duties as a queen consort. Maud played a strong and dominant role within the court and family, but a discreet role in public.

During the first years in Norway, she and her spouse were photographed in Norwegian folk costumes and enjoying winters sports such as skiing to give them a Norwegian appearance in the eyes of the public. She disliked representation but performed her role as a queen with great care, and used clothes and jewelry to make a regal impression. She supported charitable causes, particularly those associated with children and animals, and gave encouragement to musicians and artists. Among her projects was Dronningens Hjelpekomité (The Queen's Relief Comity) during WWI. Read Less