Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon VIII Becomes King of Norway Following the Death of King Harald V
Haakon becomes king immediately, and Norway’s monarchy faces pressure to steady support after recent family scandals.
- 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.
218 Articles
218 Articles
This 28 August King Harald V of Norway died and his 53-year-old son Haakon immediately assumed the throne.
After the death of King Harald Haakon VIII takes over. His wife Mette-Marit becomes queen. The family lives through turbulent times with scandals, illness and court proceedings.
King Haakon the new face of Norway’s monarchy
As comfortable in a duffel coat as in ceremonial dress, Norway’s King Haakon is the new face of a monarchy long praised for its modernity and modesty, but now beset by woe and scandal.Haakon automatically succeeded to the throne yesterday after his father, former king Harald, passed away peacefully
Modest and measured, fleeing the fascist and ostentation, the quinquennial succeeded his father, King Harald V, on Friday, August 28. Appreciated for his progress, he has faced a series of scandals in recent years, between his wife's ties with Jeffrey Epstein and the conviction for rape against his son-in-law.
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