King Haakon VIII Takes the Norwegian Throne Amid Family Scandals

On August 28, 2026, King Harald V died at Oslo University Hospital. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, succeeded him under Norway’s constitutional rules and met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and the cabinet that same day. He confirmed his regnal name as Haakon VIII and pledged to continue the family motto “All for Norway.”

The first portrait of a new king: Haakon VIII’s reign begins with sombre duty A brand new monarch Norway's King Harald dies at 89, Crown Prince Haakon takes over King Haakon: The Story of Norway’s New Monarch New York PostEl PaisThe Guardian

Haakon Magnus, born July 20 1973 in Oslo, became heir after the 1990 amendment that introduced absolute primogeniture. The change was not retroactive, so he remained first in line after his grandfather King Olav V died in 1991. His eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now Crown Princess, the first female heir under the new rules.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway takes over her father's role as heir to the throne

Documents released in early 2026 showed Queen Consort Mette-Marit corresponded with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014; she apologized, calling it “poor judgment.” In June 2026, her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years for rape and domestic violence, with an appeal pending.

NPR

Support for the monarchy has declined. A 2022 Dagbladet poll recorded 68 % favorability, down from an 81 % NRK poll in 2017. A 2024 poll showed 54 % support, while Norstat reported 60 % in February 2024, rising to 64 % in May.

Associated Press

Prime Minister Støre said, “A whole nation is in mourning.” King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden praised Harald V’s “unwavering faith in the Norwegian people.” The royal household emphasized that Marius Høiby will be treated “like any other citizen” under the law.

Norway’s King Harald V Dies At 89, Son Haakon Succeeds Him -

Støre labeled Mette-Marit’s Epstein contacts “poor judgment,” an uncommon comment from a sitting minister. Political commentator Kjetin Alstadheim of *Aftenposten* warned the scandals could “bring a degree of disrepute” to the royal house and urged a rebuilding of public trust.

CNN

• 68 % support (Dagbladet, 2022)

Associated Press

• 81 % support (NRK, 2017)

Associated Press

• 54 % support (2024 poll)

Associated Press

• 60 % -> 64 % (Norstat, Feb–May 2024)

Associated Press

• “A whole nation is in mourning,” — Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre

Norway's King Harald dies at 89, Crown Prince Haakon takes over

• “For more than three decades as monarch, Harald V demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people.” — King Carl XVI Gustaf

The Hindu

Within days, King Haakon VIII will attend an extraordinary Council of State to formally announce his accession and will take the constitutional oath before the Storting in the coming weeks. The household will also outline Queen Mette-Marit’s role as consort, pending her recovery from a 2026 lung transplant.

Haakon VIII, the new king of Norway: this is how Mette-Marit’s role changes after Harald's death

The coming months will test Haakon’s ability to balance ceremonial duties, restore confidence in the monarchy, and navigate the fallout from his family’s recent scandals.

King Haakon: The Story of Norway’s New Monarch