Crown Prince Haakon becomes King Haakon VIII of Norway after Harald V's death

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, was proclaimed King Haakon VIII of Norway on Friday following the death of his father, King Harald V. The new monarch inherits a largely symbolic constitutional role, with executive power residing in the elected parliament, but he is expected to help maintain the royal family’s public standing.

Haakon has previously acted as regent during his father’s periods of ill health and is familiar with the duties of the throne. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s in development studies from the London School of Economics, and graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy. He is married to Mette-Marit, a former commoner whose past associations with the late Jeffrey Epstein and her stepson’s recent rape conviction have drawn media attention.

"I am all in," Haakon said in a 2023 interview, referring to his involvement in family activities.

The royal household has faced additional scrutiny after the conviction of Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, on rape and assault charges. While the queen consort has apologized for her earlier contact with Epstein, she has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Public support for the monarchy remains strong but has slipped in recent years, with polls showing a decline from 81% in 2017 to 68% in 2022. The new king’s first challenge will be to address these concerns and sustain the institution’s relevance in Norway.