Crown Prince Haakon has become Norway’s new king following the death of his father, King Harald V, at the age of 89, taking the throne after years of gradually assuming greater royal responsibilities as his father’s health declined.The 53-year-old Haakon is the only son of King Harald and Queen Sonja and has been heir to the Norwegian throne since 1991. He had been serving as regent as his father’s health deteriorated and formally succeeded him following Harald’s death at Oslo University Hospital on Friday.But Haakon’s journey to the throne was not one he always embraced. In his 2023 autobiography, he recalled struggling with the attention that came with being a member of the royal family and deliberately seeking distance from Norway during his youth.“Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want to talk about it … At school it made me anxious,” he wrote.
From reluctant royal to heir
As a child, Haakon preferred to stay out of the spotlight. He later chose to study at the University of California, Berkeley, rather than follow his father and grandfather to Oxford, describing his desire to be “as far away as possible” from home.He also developed a lasting passion for surfing, writing that being in the water allowed him to feel like himself.“In the water, I could be myself,” he wrote.His life changed after returning to Norway in 1999, when he met Mette-Marit at a music festival. Their relationship initially attracted intense media scrutiny because she was a commoner and a single mother.The controversy eventually subsided after King Harald publicly welcomed Mette-Marit into the royal family. The couple married in 2001 and have two children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Marius Borg Hoiby, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, also became part of their family.Haakon has credited his wife with helping him become more comfortable in public life.“I am not very good socially,” he wrote. “Mette is a natural talent. She can go into a room and get along with everyone.”
A king taking over amid family storms
Haakon’s accession comes at a difficult moment for the Norwegian royal family, which has faced a series of controversies over the past year.Mette-Marit has faced scrutiny over her past correspondence with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was also convicted in June on rape and domestic violence charges and sentenced to four years in prison. Both Hoiby and the prosecution have appealed the sentence.Haakon has publicly stood by his wife while also expressing sympathy for the alleged victims in his stepson’s case.“We support Marius in the situation he is in. We look after the other children as well,” he said. “For me, the most important thing these past few days has been to take care of the flock.”Haakon’s own transition to the throne has been gradual. As King Harald’s health problems increased, he took on more official duties and increasingly represented the monarchy at home and abroad.
Norway’s fourth modern-era king
Haakon is now the fourth king of Norway in the modern era, following the country’s decision in 1905 to retain a monarchy after becoming fully independent from Sweden.His great-grandfather was King Haakon VII, who became monarch after Prince Carl of Denmark was chosen to lead the newly independent Norway.Haakon has previously acknowledged that the role he once struggled to accept eventually acquired a deeper meaning for him.“I can find meaning and joy within it, and I can try and be of help to others.”If he retains his current name, he will reign as King Haakon VIII.Despite the demands of royal life, Haakon has said his love for the water remains an important part of his private life.“As a grown-up, I am at my happiest in the water together with my family. It provides an inner peace when the flock is gathered to do what I like best: to be among the waves. Nothing beats that feeling.”
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