Haakon VIII accedes to Norwegian throne as King Harald V dies at 89

Accession of King Haakon VIII

Crown Prince Haakon acceded to the Norwegian throne on 28 August 2026 as King Haakon VIII following the death of his father, King Harald V. Harald died peacefully at 06:35 at Rikshospitalet in Oslo at the age of 89, having ruled Norway since 1991. At midday, Haakon convened an extraordinary Council of State at the Royal Palace in Oslo to officially inform the cabinet of the monarch's passing and his assumption of royal duties. Haakon adopted the motto "Alt for Norge", which translates to "All for Norway", adhering to the royal tradition established by his father and grandfather. Under the Norwegian constitution, the monarch will formally swear an oath before the Storting, the national parliament. Norway does not conduct traditional coronations, and Haakon is expected to receive a formal church blessing, continuing a custom introduced by King Olav V in 1958.

Royal titles and succession order

Following the transition, the royal household published an updated roster confirming that Haakon's wife becomes Her Majesty Queen Mette-Marit. The former queen consort, 89-year-old Sonja, retains the title of Queen Sonja without the designation of Her Majesty, which is reserved for the reigning monarch and queen. The royal couple's eldest child, 22-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now Crown Princess and first in line to the throne. Ingrid Alexandra recently transferred to the University of Oslo for an exchange semester from her primary studies in Australia to be near her family during her mother's illness. Her younger brother, 20-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus, occupies the second position in the line of succession. Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, holds no place in the succession line.

Health challenges and public scrutiny

Queen Mette-Marit, who is 53 years old, has faced chronic health challenges stemming from pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that causes progressive lung tissue scarring. She reduced public duties in recent months, appeared with breathing equipment, and underwent a lung transplant in mid-June 2026. Haakon and Mette-Marit celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on 25 August 2026, twenty-five years after their wedding at Oslo Cathedral on 25 August 2001. In a recent interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, Haakon addressed their relationship during difficult personal circumstances.

We have been together for over 25 years. And have built a relationship where we stand firmly together. When you get married, that applies in good times and in bad.

The royal household also navigated significant public scrutiny in recent years, including controversies over past email contacts between Mette-Marit and Jeffrey Epstein, which she publicly regretted. Her son Marius Borg Høiby received a four-year prison sentence in June 2026 following convictions for two rapes under Norwegian law, a ruling currently under appeal while he remains under house arrest.

Transition and state ceremonies

European royal houses, including the monarchies of Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, expressed condolences following Harald's death. Norway entered an official period of mourning that will continue until the late monarch's funeral ceremonies. King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit will move from their Skaugum estate, located roughly 20 kilometres southwest of Oslo, into the royal apartments at the Royal Palace in the capital. Despite recent controversies involving the royal family, a March 2026 survey indicated that nearly four in five respondents believed Haakon would perform well as king. Following his constitutional oath and the royal blessing service, the new king will undertake a tour across Norway.