King Haakon VIII of Norway, in his first public address as monarch, honored his late father, King Harald V, and pledged to lead the nation with unity and understanding. His ascension to the throne comes at a challenging time for the Norwegian royal family, which has navigated a series of public difficulties in the past year.
Haakon VIII acknowledged the importance of familial support during his speech. "Our family has experienced the importance of standing together in order to remain steadfast both within ourselves and for one another even during difficult times," he stated. He further committed himself, alongside Queen Mette-Marit and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, to "always strive to understand the life situations of different people."
The new king's address follows a period of scrutiny for the royal household. Queen Mette-Marit faced public criticism after her past association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was revealed, prompting a public apology from her. She has also been managing health issues, having undergone a lung transplant in 2018 for pulmonary fibrosis, with doctors indicating she will not be declared stable until next year.
Further complicating matters, the Queen's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted in June of rape and other offenses and sentenced to four years in prison. He is currently appealing the conviction. While not a member of the royal family, Høiby was raised by the royal couple.
Princess Märtha Louise, King Haakon VIII's sister, also generated controversy. Her remarriage in 2024 to an American self-styled shaman led to business activities that prompted her to step back from royal duties.
Despite these challenges, Norwegian royal experts suggest that King Haakon VIII is respected and hardworking, possessing the qualities needed to move forward. However, recent polling indicates a decline in public support for the monarchy, dropping from 72% in 2024 to 54% in a poll conducted for the newspaper Aftenposten earlier this year, though King Harald V remained popular until his death.