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Harald’s Death, Haakon’s Rise
Norway opened a period of national mourning after King Harald V died in hospital at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) on Friday at the age of 89, after being treated there for a rare blood condition.
“died in hospital at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) aged 89”
His son, Haakon VIII, became king immediately after the death, and he held an extraordinary council of state meeting with government ministers while keeping the royal motto "All for Norway".
Norwegians gathered at the royal palace in Oslo to lay flowers and flags, and an estimated 10,000 people lined the streets in the capital to see the late king go past, Norway's public broadcaster reported.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the country was "united in grief and gratitude" as he laid flowers outside the palace and signed a book of condolences after greeting the new king.
The transition also came with immediate constitutional steps, with Haakon due to take an oath before the Norwegian parliament on Tuesday and his daughter Ingrid Alexandra, 22, next in line as crown princess after succession rules changed in 1990 to allow firstborn women to inherit the crown.
Scandal Shadow, Public Unity
While tributes focused on Harald’s role as a unifying figure, coverage also tied the new reign to a turbulent year for Norway’s royal family, including scrutiny around Queen Mette-Marit’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
CNN quoted Aftenposten political editor Kjetil Alstadheim saying, "Maybe people will remember the Epstein scandal, but I think maybe the worst will fade away," as he discussed how Harald’s death could shift public mood.
The BBC reported that Støre told reporters, "A whole nation is in mourning," after meeting Haakon, and it also noted that Harald’s death came amid health challenges and scandals this year.
Reuters described how Haakon’s marriage to Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoeiby in 2001 was followed by media attention, and it added that in June Marius Borg Hoeiby was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of rape and domestic violence.
The Reuters profile also said Haakon stood by his wife through the fallout, while he released a statement expressing sympathy with alleged victims and said Hoeiby should face the judicial system like any other citizen.
What’s Next for Norway
As the new monarch prepares for formal duties, the sources describe an oath and a possible consecration path, with Haakon due to take an oath before parliament and the option of a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral.
“"I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with the Constitution and the laws"”
NDTV laid out that Haakon will swear an oath declaring, "I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with the Constitution and the laws," and it said Ingrid Alexandra, 22, automatically becomes crown princess.
The BBC reported that Harald’s coffin was taken to the palace in a public procession, and it said the date of Harald's funeral is yet to be officially announced while he lies in state in the palace chapel.
Beyond domestic ritual, the Guardian and BBC both framed the moment as a European-facing transition, with the Guardian noting that Harald was succeeded immediately by his son, King Haakon VIII, and the BBC describing European royals and political leaders paying tribute.
The stakes for the monarchy in the sources are also tied to public support and ongoing scrutiny, with the BBC citing a poll for Aftenposten that found support for the monarchy dropped from 72% in 2024 to 54%, and Reuters detailing that Haakon’s stepson Marius Borg Hoeiby was appealing after a four-year prison sentence.