Haakon has officially ascended to the throne following the death of his father, King Harald, at the age of 89, all while his family faces two major scandals. According to reports, Haakon has wrestled with accepting his royal status for years.
In his 2023 autobiography titled “Haakon,” he reflects on his childhood experiences at a public primary school in the 1980s, stating, “Yes, I was a member of the royal family, but I didn’t want to talk about it… It made me feel uneasy at school.” Over time, he became accustomed to his role, officially becoming the crown prince in 1991 and taking on increasing royal duties as his father’s health declined. He took the crown on Friday following King Harald’s passing.
Haakon’s adaptation to royal life has been lengthy and at times challenging. As a child, he preferred to stay out of the spotlight, believing that when he was noticed, things went awry. He opted not to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by attending Oxford University, choosing instead to enroll at the University of California, Berkeley, where he sought to be “as far away as possible” from home. He was drawn to the vibrant music scene in California, recalling a memorable concert by rapper Nas amidst the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry, as well as his love for surfing, stating, “In the water, I could be myself.”
Upon returning to Norway in 1999, he met his future wife, Mette-Marit, at a music festival. Their relationship garnered media attention due to her being a commoner and a single mother who spent much of her youth immersed in Norway’s house music scene. This scrutiny lessened after King Harald publicly welcomed her into the family, despite initial objections to their union. Haakon remarked that Mette-Marit helped him emerge from his shell, describing her as the emotional counterbalance to his analytical mind. “I struggle with social relationships. Mette has an innate talent. She can walk into a room and connect with everyone,” he wrote in his autobiography.
The couple married in 2001 and have two children: Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, along with Marius, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship. However, over two decades later, a media storm erupted when emails between Mette-Marit and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January. Mette-Marit remained silent for seven weeks, leading Haakon to publicly express that she needed time to recover. When she eventually spoke out, Haakon stood by her side, affirming that marriage is for both “good days and bad days.” He stated, “Mette is nurturing, wise, and incredibly strong. That’s why I will always have her by my side when tough things happen.” Mette-Marit described herself in a heartfelt interview as having been manipulated and deceived.
Simultaneously, Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Hoiby, faced legal troubles for charges of rape and domestic violence, accusations he denied. Haakon expressed his compassion for the alleged victims while opting not to attend the courtroom proceedings, stating, “We support Marius in his situation. We also take care of the other children.” In June, Marius was found guilty of two of the four rape charges and one of domestic violence, receiving a sentence of four years in prison. Both he and the prosecution filed appeals against the ruling.
Haakon’s coronation makes him the fourth king of modern Norway, a monarchy established after a 1905 referendum that transitioned the country from a republic following its full independence from Sweden. The first modern king was Prince Carl of Denmark, who became King Haakon VII of Norway, continuing a lineage traced back to Viking-era and medieval kings. In his autobiography, Haakon wrote of finding purpose and joy in his public role, stating, “I find meaning and joy in this and I can try to be of help to others.” Should he retain his name, he will be known as King Haakon VIII of Norway, although he has the option to change it.
Regarding his private life, he emphasized his love for water, remarking, “As an adult, I am happiest in the water with my family. I feel a sense of inner peace when we gather to do what I love most: be among the waves. Nothing compares to that feeling.”
