Norway's New King Inherits a Monarchy With Support Falling to 54%

King Haakon VIII acceded to the Norwegian throne on 28 August 2026 after his father Harald V died aged 89. Support for the monarchy fell from 72% in 2024 to 54%, per Aftenposten. The new king faces family controversies: Princess Mette-Marit's Epstein friendship and lung transplant, Marius Borg Høiby's rape conviction, and Princess Märtha Louise's marriage to a self-styled shaman. Royal experts call Haakon respected and hard-working.