Archive · 28 Aug 2026
From Surfer Prince to King Haakon VIII of Norway
Norway has a new king because King Harald V died on Friday at age 89.
His only son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically became King Haakon VIII.
Haakon is 53 and had sometimes performed his father’s duties when Harald was ill.
His wife, Mette-Marit, is now queen, and their daughter Ingrid Alexandra is the next heir.
The king mainly represents Norway because elected politicians make most government decisions.
Haakon enjoys surfing, skiing, sports and music, and once said he might have become a professional surfer.
The royal family has faced difficult attention because of Marius Borg Høiby’s criminal convictions and questions about Mette-Marit’s former contacts with Jeffrey Epstein.
Support for keeping the monarchy remains a majority view but has fallen.
Haakon’s major task is to maintain public trust while continuing Harald’s legacy.
Crown Prince Haakon became King Haakon VIII on Friday after his father, King Harald V, died at 89.
Haakon adopted the motto “All for Norway,” while his wife became Queen Mette-Marit and their daughter Ingrid Alexandra became Crown Princess and heir.
The 53-year-old monarch previously served as regent and studied political science, development studies, naval service and diplomacy.
Norway’s largely ceremonial monarchy faces declining support amid Marius Borg Høiby’s convictions and scrutiny of Mette-Marit’s past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences, recalling Harald V’s warmth and dedication to Norway.
- Who
- Crown Prince Haakon became King Haakon VIII after the death of King Harald V; Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences.
- What
- Norway’s throne passed automatically to Haakon, who adopted the motto “All for Norway.”
- When
- Haakon became king on Friday; the articles identify the year as 2026 and say Harald died at age 89.
- Where
- Norway; Harald died at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and Haakon arrived at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
- Why
- Haakon succeeded because Norway’s constitutional succession rules transfer the crown automatically when the monarch dies.
Monarchy Supporters
Monarchy Critics
The institution’s value
Monarchy Supporters
Supporters see the monarchy as a longstanding national symbol that represents Norway domestically and internationally.
Monarchy Critics
Critics question whether the institution remains appropriate as public support has declined and royal-family controversies have intensified.
Haakon’s readiness
Monarchy Supporters
Supporters point to Haakon’s decades of preparation, education and repeated service as regent during Harald’s declining health.
Monarchy Critics
Critics may view restoring confidence as a major challenge because the new king inherits reputational problems involving several family members.
Family controversies
Monarchy Supporters
The royal family has emphasized accountability: Mette-Marit apologized for maintaining contact with Epstein, while Høiby’s legal process continues through an appeal.
Monarchy Critics
Critics cite Høiby’s convictions, scrutiny of Mette-Marit’s contacts and criticism of Princess Märtha Louise’s public activities as reasons to examine the monarchy more closely.
- New monarch
- Haakon Magnus, 53, became King Haakon VIII.
- Royal motto
- Haakon adopted “All for Norway,” a motto associated with his great-grandfather.
- Next in line
- Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, became Crown Princess and heir; Prince Sverre Magnus follows her.
- Monarchy’s role
- The monarchy is largely ceremonial, while political authority rests with the elected parliament or government.
- Public support
- A late-2022 Dagbladet poll found 68% supported retaining the monarchy, compared with 81% in an NRK poll in 2017.
- Marius Borg Høiby
- Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison after convictions including two rape counts, assault and abuse in a close relationship; he has appealed.
- Mette-Marit’s health
- After being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant in June 2026.
