Norway's King Harald V dies at 89, son Haakon takes throne
Haakon VIII succeeds his father after a 35-year reign, taking over a monarchy facing a series of recent family scandals
Norway's King Harald V died Friday at the age of 89, ending a 35-year reign and making his son Haakon the country's new monarch.
Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 a.m., the Norwegian royal palace said. He had been hospitalized since August 17 and was being treated for a bacterial infection in his blood, with the palace announcing Thursday that his condition had become "very serious."
His 53-year-old son automatically succeeded him and formally announced at an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet that he would reign as King Haakon VIII. He also retained the royal motto used by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, "Alt for Norge," or "All for Norway."
Haakon's wife Mette-Marit is now queen, while their 22-year-old daughter Ingrid Alexandra has become crown princess and heir to the throne.
Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V, and was Europe's oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death. Despite increasingly serious health problems in recent years, he repeatedly ruled out abdication, saying his oath as king was for life.
Haakon takes the throne during a turbulent period for the Norwegian royal family. Mette-Marit has faced intense scrutiny over her past relationship and correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced in June to four years in prison after being convicted of offenses including rape and violence. He has appealed.
Norway will observe several days of national mourning ahead of Harald's funeral at Oslo Cathedral. He is to be buried in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress. Haakon is also expected to take an oath before parliament, although Norway does not hold formal coronations.