Norway's Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Prince Haakon of Norway celebrated his 41st birthday yesterday(20.07.14).
The heir apparent to the Norwegian throne opted for a quiet affair and was joined by his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their children Ingrid Alexandra,10, Sverre Magnus, eight, and his step-son Marius Borg Høiby, 17, at their countryside residence on Dvergsøya, Kristiansand to mark the occasion.
The low-key celebrations were a stark contrast to the lavish party that was thrown in honour of his 40th birthday last year, when around 220 close friends and family members gathered in Skaugum for a special festival to mark the milestone.
Although few details have been revealed about the private party - which was thrown yesterday afternoon and included a small number of unnamed guests - it is believed the Prince enjoyed the day, with temperatures at the family's summer residence reaching a pleasant 20 degrees celsius.
Prince Haakon's birthday falls just days before Britain's newest royal, Prince George, will celebrate turning one.
His parents Prince William and Duchess Catherine "don't want to go overboard" and have vowed not to spoil the toddler with too many presents.
A source told Usmagazine.com: "George will be getting clothes and wooden toys from mum and dad for his birthday.
"William and Catherine don't want to go overboard. He has been given so many gifts over the months and there's only so much space to store them."
The royal couple celebrated with a party at Catherine's mother and father's house yesterday, and there will be another celebration tomorrow (22.07.14) - on his actual birthday - held at Kensington Palace in London.
A spokesperson for the palace said: "The family is marking it privately with close family and friends at Kensington Palace."