Norway gets a new king: What to know about Haakon VIII
Photo: Haakon, Norway's new king (Getty Images)
On August 28, Haakon, the son of the late monarch Harald V, became Norway’s new king, reports NRK.
Earlier today, the Norwegian Royal Court officially confirmed the death of Harald V. He died at the age of 89 after a serious illness.
The illness was hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.
Later the same day, it was announced that Haakon, the son of the late monarch and Queen Sonja, had ascended to the throne. Until then, he had held the title of crown prince.
Haakon is a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.
He will reign as King Haakon VIII. He is currently 53 years old.
Photo: Harald V died at the age of 89 after a serious illness on August 28
Haakon VIII: What is known about him?
When Haakon was born in 1973, he immediately became heir to the Norwegian throne. From that moment on, it was clear that he would one day become the country’s monarch.
As crown prince, Haakon gradually took on more responsibilities and assumed an increasingly active role in the royal family's work.
For many years, father and son worked closely together. King Harald V described Haakon not only as his successor, but also as a friend and trusted ally. He sought his son’s advice, shared his own experience with him and believed Haakon understood how to carry on Norway’s royal traditions.
"Our relationship has grown increasingly close. He is a wise young man. He will do just fine when his time comes. It is comforting to know that. I think my father worried more than I do. I am very fortunate that Crown Prince Haakon will carry this work forward," Harald said of his son.
According to Harald, Haakon stood by his side throughout his reign and actively took part in royal duties.
Although Haakon automatically became Norway’s new king following Harald V’s death, he is still expected to swear an oath of allegiance to the Constitution formally.
On August 25, 2001, Crown Prince Haakon married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby.
Three years later, the couple welcomed their daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, who is the future heir to the Norwegian throne. In December 2005, Haakon and Mette-Marit welcomed a son, Sverre Magnus. He is third in the line of succession, after his father and older sister.
Haakon also has a stepson, Marius, who was born in 1997 from one of Mette-Marit’s previous relationships. He has no right to inherit the Norwegian throne.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on what to know about Norway’s late King Harald V.
