Jóhann, Prince Consort

**Mother** | Braghildur María Grímardattir

**Jóhann** (Jóhann Eiríksson; born 19 July 1937) is the husband of Hrafnhildur III and prince consort of the Velkanian Isles from 2003 until 2013.

Born in Narísandur, Jóhann graduated from Blönvogur Junior College in 1957, afterwards receiving a bachelor's degree in Laposcandian literature from Söderhälla University in 1960, a master's degree from the University of Velkania in 1962, and a doctoral degree in 1968. He subsequently worked as a professor of Laposcandian literature at the University of Velkania, until his retirement in 2002.

Jóhann began a relationship with Hrafnhildur III in 1963, later becoming engaged in 1966, and marrying the following year. With their marriage, Jóhann became the first commoner to marry into the Velkanian royal family and to become a royal consort. They have two daughters together: Ragnhildur II (born 1968) and Princess Úlfhildur (born 1971).

## Early life and education

Jóhann was born on 19 July 1937 in Narísandur to parents Eirík Freymundarson (1906–1989) and Braghildur María Grímardattir (1909–1998). He came from a middle-class background, with his father working as a carpenter and his mother as a fashion designer. He grew up in the Húsjavík neighborhood of Narísandur. He is the second of three children; his siblings include Jón Geirmundur (1934–2010) and Gunnvör, born  (1940-06-12) 12 June 1940 (age 83).

Jóhann began his education in 1943, attending a local, public primary school in Húsjavík. While in primary school, Jóhann was described as being quiet and bookish, but still attractive and popular. He graduated in 1953, and afterwards enrolled in Blönvogur Junior College to study a languages and literature program, graduating in 1957. After graduating, he moved to Söderhälla to enroll in the Faculty of Humanities at Söderhälla University, graduating with a degree in Laposcandian literature in 1960. He subsequently returned to Narísandur, enrolling in the University of Velkania, where he received his master's degree in 1962, and his doctorate in 1968, both in Laposcandian literature.

## Adulthood and teaching career

After graduating with his master's degree in 1962, Jóhann began a doctoral program and was hired as an *aðstoðproféssor* ("assistant professor") at the University of Velkania. As an assistant professor, he assisted professors in teaching courses, often offering extra help to students, grading tests and papers, and teaching small lessons. He first served as an assistant professor in 1963, assisting in an introduction course to 16th-century Framish literature.

After completing his doctoral program in 1968, Jóhann was hired by the department of Laposcandian studies as a professor. Upon his hiring, Jóhann began teaching a number of courses in the department, specializing in Framish literature between the 13th and 17th-centuries. He was reported to have "loved" being a teacher, and led engaging classes with high levels of student satisfaction. In 1970, he won the departmental award for professor of the year, later winning the award again in 1972, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2002, holding the department's record for the professor with the most wins throughout their career, culminating in 17 total wins. He was elected to the University of Velkania Senate as a faculty representative for the Faculty of Eurean Studies for the first time in 1983, and later was reelected each year until his retirement in 2002.

Jóhann retired from his teaching career in 2002, and afterwards was offered a permanent position as an honorary member of the University of Velkania Senate. In this position, he holds no voting power, but has the authority to attend senate meetings and participate in debates on behalf of the Faculty of Eurean Studies. He attended meetings from 2002 until 2003, but stopped after becoming prince consort.

## Marriage and family

Jóhann became introduced to Hrafnhildur III in 1963, while he was in his doctoral program and she was in her final year of studies at the University of Velkania. Mistakenly believing that he was another undergraduate student, Hrafnhildur asked him on a date, to which he accepted. She did not learn that he actually worked at the university until the end of their first date.

Jóhann and Hrafnhildur became engaged in May 1966. They later married in a royal wedding on 20 May 1967 in Narísandur. Following their marriage, Jóhann received the royal title Crown Prince of the Velkanian Isles. With their marriage, Jóhann became the first commoner to marry into the Velkanian royal family. The couple subsequently moved into Köllapúnk House on the grounds of Árbæjarheimar Palace, Hrafnhildur's childhood home. They moved into the palace's main residence in 2003. In 2013, they moved into a newly constructed four-bedroom cottage in Húsavík, wishing to move away from city life and the palace.

Jóhann and Hrafnhildur have two children together:

* Ragnhildur II (*Ragnhildur* María Björgheiður Hildiríður Jóhannsdattir; born 14 December 1968)
* Princess *Úlfhildur* Lydía Hafrún Freydís Jóhannsdattir (born 23 June 1971)

## Titles

* **20 May 1967 – 15 January 2003**: *His Royal Highness* The Crown Prince of the Velkanian Isles
* **15 January 2003 – *present***: *His Majesty* The Prince consort of the Velkanian Isles