DistantNews
Support us
🇻🇪 Venezuela /Culture & Society

Haakon VIII ascends to Norwegian throne after father's death

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Crown Prince Haakon automatically became the new King of Norway, Haakon VIII, following the death of his father, Harald V, at age 89.
  • The new king will use the name Haakon VIII and retain his father's motto, "Everything for Norway."
  • Haakon, 53, has undergone extensive preparation, combining military education with international studies, and has served as regent during his father's recent hospitalizations.

Crown Prince Haakon has officially ascended to the Norwegian throne, becoming King Haakon VIII following the passing of his father, King Harald V, at the age of 89. The transition was automatic, as stipulated by the Norwegian Constitution.

Born in Oslo on July 20, 1973, Haakon is the sole son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja. He has held the title of Crown Prince since January 17, 1991, the date of his grandfather King Olav V's death. Haakon participated in his first Council of State at age 18 the same year and has increasingly taken on regent duties, particularly during his father's recent hospitalizations.

His education was a blend of military training and higher education abroad. After completing his military service in the Norwegian Navy, he graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy in 1995. He furthered his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a degree in Political Science in 1999, followed by a Master's in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2003, specializing in international trade and Africa.

Before assuming the crown, Haakon gained international experience, including an internship at Norway's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York in 1999 and completing the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' training program. He has also been involved in international initiatives focused on development, youth, and human dignity. Militarily, he holds the ranks of General in the Norwegian Armed Forces, Admiral in the Navy, and General in the Air Force.

In his personal life, Haakon married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in 2001. She was not of royal lineage and had a son from a previous relationship. Together, they have two children: Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. With Haakon's accession, his 22-year-old daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, becomes the heir to the Norwegian throne. Beyond his official duties, Haakon has a long-standing interest in water sports, outdoor activities, and music, and the Royal House notes his continued promotion of sports and outdoor life.

Everything for Norway.

— Haakon VIIIThe new King's motto, which he will retain from his father and grandfather.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog