Who is Norway's new King Haakon VIII?
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Who is Norway's new King Haakon VIII?
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: King Haakon VIII has adopted his father's motto "Everything for Norway"
By James Gregory and Mallory Moench
Published 19 minutes ago
King Haakon VIII has succeeded to the Norwegian throne following the death of his father, King Harald V. Many in Norway are curious about how he will fare as the nation's new monarch.
King Harald was widely respected among ordinary Norwegians, as evidenced by his consistently high approval ratings and the profound outpouring of grief during the period leading up to his passing.
Haakon is the fourth king to rule Norway since its modern monarchy was restored in 1905 following independence from Sweden.
Among his initial responsibilities, he presided over an extraordinary cabinet meeting where he proclaimed his royal title and embraced his father's motto, "Everything for Norway."
Many analysts believe Haakon is well-positioned to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors.
As the crown prince, Haakon worked closely with his father and took on more duties as Harald's health declined or when he was absent.
"I am so lucky that Crown Prince Haakon is the one who will carry this forward," King Harald wrote about his son in his biography The King Tells.
Historian Trond Norén Isaksen explains to the BBC that while Haakon may differ from his father, he will still be respected.
"King Harald... [was] very charismatic, he [had] a great sense of humour, which everyone appreciates, and Haakon is a bit more reserved, a bit more like his mother."
Isaksen adds that Haakon has become more open over the years, revealing glimpses of his wit.
Haakon is a descendant of Queen Victoria of Britain, tracing back to her as a great-great-great-grandson.
His daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, aged 22, ascends to the position of crown princess and becomes the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: At just 22 years old, Ingrid Alexandra becomes Norway's crown princess.
Haakon was born in 1973, making him younger than his father upon ascending the throne. He acknowledged his struggles with royal expectations in his 2023 autobiography:
"Yes, I was a royal, but I did not want to talk about it... At school it made me anxious."
Despite these initial challenges, Haakon has proven himself capable of handling royal duties as he moves into his new role.
The Norwegian monarchy remains popular among citizens and is known for its contemporary approach. However, the family has faced scandal in recent years, including issues related to his wife, Mette-Marit, and her connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as a rape conviction involving their son.
Image source: EPA
Image caption: Three generations of monarchs at Skaugum estate in 1982 - King Olav V, Prince Haakon, and then-Crown Prince Harald