Norway Proclaims King Haakon VIII, 53, After Harald V Dies Following 35-Year Reign
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 28
Norway Proclaims King Haakon VIII, 53, After Harald V Dies Following 35-Year Reign
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 28
Summary
An extraordinary Council of State at Oslo’s Royal Palace formally presented Haakon VIII’s full title on Friday, hours after King Harald V died and ended a 35-year reign.
Haakon, 53, kept the motto “All for Norway” and thanked Norwegians for their “support and compassion,” as Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said “a whole nation is in mourning.”
The succession comes after a bruising year for the royal family: Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was sentenced in June to four years in prison, while Queen Consort Mette-Marit faced renewed scrutiny over past ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Commentators say Harald’s death could still rally sympathy around the monarchy and help Haakon and Mette-Marit settle into their new roles, even after support hit a record low in a February poll before recovering.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, now becomes heir to a monarchy that analysts say retains broad backing and may use the transition to reinforce national unity.