Society for Court Studies Lecture: FDR’s Royal Confidante | Trond Norén Isaksen

This lecture explores the relationship between US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway during the Second World War. Trond Norén Isaksen examines how Märtha became part of Roosevelt’s inner circle and argues that her role has often been misunderstood by biographers, who have presented her either as an insignificant distraction or as a possible mistress.

The talk draws on Isaksen’s historical research to show that Crown Princess Märtha used her access to the President to play a political, diplomatic and humanitarian role. It forms part of the Society for Court Studies’ annual lecture programme, which presents and discusses new work in the field, and is available both online and in person for those who register or pre-book.