Crown Prince Haakon, 53, became King Haakon VIII of Norway on Friday following the death of his father, King Harald V. His eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now becomes the heir to the throne.
Haakon's ascension follows years of increasingly frequent regent duties as his father's health declined. The Norwegian monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century, and a national plebiscite in 1905 restored the institution after Norway regained independence. While the monarch's role is now largely symbolic, with power resting in an elected parliament, the royal family retains a significant public profile and engages in promoting the nation internationally.
Born the younger child of Harald V, Haakon became heir in 1991 after the death of his grandfather, King Olav. The Norwegian Constitution was amended in 1990 to allow for gender-neutral succession for future firstborns, though this change was not applied retroactively.
Haakon earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He also graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and completed a diplomatic trainee program.
He met Crown Princess Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, then a single mother, in 1999. Their relationship faced public scrutiny due to her past associations with individuals involved in illegal drug use. Haakon acknowledged in a 1998 interview that Mette-Marit was part of an Oslo youth culture that involved "relatively extravagant partying." Despite initial division, the couple married in August 2001. Their popularity grew through a blend of public engagement and private family life, and they have two children together, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Haakon also became stepfather to Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby.
The royal family's reputation has faced challenges in recent years. In June, Marius Borg Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of rape, assault, and abuse, though his lawyers have stated he will appeal the verdict. The trial occurred amidst renewed scrutiny following disclosures of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender. Mette-Marit has apologized for her past association with Epstein, stating she exercised poor judgment and felt manipulated and deceived.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit was diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of chronic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that affects breathing. She underwent a lung transplant in June.
King Haakon VIII's reign begins at a time when support for the monarchy has seen a decline. A 2022 poll indicated 68% of Norwegians wished to keep the monarchy, a decrease from 81% in a 2017 poll. The family has also faced scrutiny regarding the public activities of King Haakon's sister, Princess Märtha Louise, who has previously stated she would no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house following questions related to her and her fiancé's roles.