Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon VIII Becomes King of Norway Following the Death of King Harald V
The new monarch inherits a throne battered by scandals involving his wife, stepson and sister, even as support for the monarchy remains broad.
- On Friday, August 28, 2026, Crown Prince Haakon succeeded his father as King Haakon VIII following King Harald V's death at 89, with Princess Ingrid Alexandra becoming the new heir to the throne.
- Haakon prepared for this role by serving as regent during King Harald's recent health declines and holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and the London School of Economics.
- Queen Mette-Marit faced intense scrutiny after the U.S. Justice Department released private emails detailing her past contact with Jeffrey Epstein, prompting her to apologize in a tearful interview, stating she had been "manipulated and deceived."
- Marius Borg Høiby, Mette-Marit's son, received a four-year prison sentence in June after his conviction for rape and domestic violence, with his legal team currently appealing the decision.
- A primary task for King Haakon VIII is to shore up support for the monarchy, which dropped to 60 per cent in February 2026 amid ongoing family controversies.
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Norway mourns for its beloved king. The new monarch Haakon is now waiting for huge footsteps - and that, while the recent scandals and worries will not just disappear.
The move of the throne in Norway comes at a time when the royal family is facing increasing media attention, due to a series of scandals that have affected its public image, making the task of the new king go beyond the mere assumption of his constitutional functions.
Norway's crown prince becomes King Haakon after father's death
Crown Prince Haakon is the new king of Norway after the death of his father, Harald V, at the age of 89, on Friday, tasked with the challenge of rebuilding the reputation of the nation's royal family in the wake of recent controversies.
Assume the crown in turbulent times for the monarchy
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