Norway’s crown prince becomes King Haakon VIII after his father’s death

King Harald V of Norway died at the age of 89 on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo following treatment for a rare blood condition. The monarch, who had lived in exile in the United States during the Nazi occupation of Norway and was known for marrying his school sweetheart, passed away peacefully at 06:35 local time. Following his death, the royal flag at the palace was lowered to half-mast.

Crown Prince Haakon has ascended to the throne as King Haakon VIII. His transition to the monarchy comes as the royal family faces challenges regarding its public image, specifically involving controversies surrounding his wife’s past associations with Jeffrey Epstein and a rape conviction involving his stepson. The new King is expected to focus on stabilizing the monarchy and addressing these reputational concerns.