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In the wake of the passing of Europe's oldest reigning monarch, King Harald V, his 53-year-old son has officially taken the throne as King Haakon VIII of Norway. King Harald died peacefully at the age of 89 due to hemolytic anemia at the Oslo University Hospital on August 28, 2026.
Tens of thousands of citizens gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to lay flowers and light candles, entering a period of profound national mourning for a beloved ruler who advocated for inclusion throughout his 35-year reign.
Under Norway's constitutional monarchy, the crown was transferred immediately upon King Harald's death. King Haakon VIII, accompanied by his 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, formally informed the government during an extraordinary Council of State.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre delivered a public address stating that "an era has ended," commending the late king's warmth, humor, and unifying presence. The mourning even resulted in logistical disruptions, such as Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe postponing her planned wedding.
Tributes flooded in from royal families and political leaders worldwide. Britain's King Charles III expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his cousin, while the monarchs of Sweden and Denmark issued statements honoring Harald’s remarkable life and sharp wit.
King Haakon VIII now leads a predominantly symbolic royal household that remains widely popular but is under increasing public scrutiny due to recent family controversies.
In June 2026, Marius Borg Høiby—the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship—was sentenced to four years in prison following a high-profile trial involving rape and domestic violence.
Queen Mette-Marit has faced significant media scrutiny regarding her past connections to Jeffrey Epstein, for which she has previously expressed regret.
The incoming queen is also contending with a chronic lung condition, having undergone a lung transplant just a month earlier in July 2026.
