Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon has accepted an offer from the government to be vaccinated against the Corona virus ahead of schedule. The Royal Palace was allotted 11 extra vaccine doses and the 48-year-old crown prince is among those now poised to get a shot.
The government’s decision to earmark 500 vaccine doses for Members of Parliament, the court system, government officials and others in “critical leadership functions” has been controversial. The crown prince will now be getting his vaccination ahead of others in his age group, but he also serves as regent when his recently ailing father, King Harald, has been ill. As heir to the throne, he’s considered among those especially important for Norway’s constitutional monarchy.
His wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has already been vaccinated since she has underlying health problems including a lung disease. Both King Harald and Queen Sonja were among the first to be vaccinated in Norway, since both are in their 80s and elderly Norwegians had top priority in the vaccination queue.