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King Haakon VIII ascends to Norway's throne after his father's death
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Crown Prince Haakon, 53, became King Haakon VIII of Norway following the death of his father, King Harald V, with his daughter Ingrid Alexandra now the heir apparent.
- Haakon faces the challenge of stabilizing the monarchy and restoring its popularity amid controversies involving his wife Mette-Marit’s past contact with Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson Marius Borg Høiby’s recent rape conviction.
- Despite Mette-Marit's controversial background and health struggles, including a lung transplant, the royal couple has maintained a blend of relatability and royal dignity that has historically garnered public support.
- The Norwegian monarchy, largely symbolic with power held by parliament, has seen declining public support in recent years, dropping from 81% in 2017 to 68% in 2022, partly due to scandals involving royal family members.
- Haakon’s sister, Princess Märtha Louise, has also attracted criticism for her unconventional spiritual claims and relationship with an American self-described shaman, leading her to step back from official royal duties.
