The King Oscar brand was founded in 1902, when King Oscar II, ruler of Norway and Sweden, gave a Norwegian canning company special royal permission to use his name and likeness on a line of sardine products.

King Oscar II ruled the United Kingdoms of Norway and Sweden from 1872 until 1905, when he granted Norway its independence. He remained king of Sweden until his death in 1907 at the age of 78. To this day, King Oscar remains the only brand in Norway with a “Royal Permission.”

Over the years, the King Oscar brand expanded into new markets, introduced new product lines, and was eventually acquired by several different parent companies as the sardine canning industry evolved in Norway. Today, King Oscar AS is owned by private equity Procuritas.