Haakon, 53, Becomes Norway's King Haakon VIII as Monarchy Faces Sliding 68% Support
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 28
Haakon, 53, Becomes Norway's King Haakon VIII as Monarchy Faces Sliding 68% Support
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 28
Summary
Crown Prince Haakon, 53, became King Haakon VIII on Friday after Harald V died, and his eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir.
Several recent scandals now shape his accession: stepson Marius Borg Høiby was sentenced in June to four years for rape and abuse, while Queen Mette-Marit apologized over past contact with Jeffrey Epstein.
Haakon enters the role with experience as regent during Harald’s declining health and with a public profile built over years alongside Mette-Marit, whom he married in 2001 despite early controversy.
Support for Norway’s monarchy has weakened as those controversies mounted, with Dagbladet polling in late 2022 showing 68% backing, down from 81% in an NRK survey in 2017.