World · Norway successionKing Harald V Dies at 89, Haakon VIII Takes ThroneAired August 29, 2026 at 2:01 PM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Norway's King Harald Vief has died at age 89.0:04The succession was automatic.0:06Crown Prince Hakon is now King Hakon VIII.0:09But the new king inherits a throne under the shadow of family scandals.0:13What kind of crown does Haakon VIII inherit?0:15The love for his father or the controversy surrounding his wife?0:18Harald reigned for thirty-five years, marked by health battles, until his final0:22decline this month.0:24The Constitution makes succession automatic.0:26The moment Harald died, Haakon became king.0:30He had already been acting as regent.0:31At an extraordinary council of state, he took the name Haakon VIII and kept the0:36motto Alt for Norge, all for Norway.0:38Hakon VIII leads the monarchy, with Queen Metmerit and heir Ingrid Alexandra.0:44Queen Sonia remains queen, and Prime Minister Storr is guiding the national0:49response.0:50Tonight, Hakon delivers his first televised address, a memorial to his father.0:55On Tuesday, he swears the constitutional oath before Parliament.0:59The funeral date is still to be set, but a state funeral in Oslo Cathedral and1:03burial at Acreschus are expected.1:06The palace confirmed the death, but did not specify a cause.1:09He had been treated for anemia and an infection, but the official statement says1:13only that he passed away peacefully.1:21International reaction came from leaders, including King Charles, who called Harold1:25his dear cousin.1:32Prime Minister Storr expressed a deep sense of gratitude for Harold's life and1:36service.1:36The new reign is shadowed by scandals.1:39Queen Metmerit's email contact with Geoffrey Epstein and her son's conviction have1:43eroded support for the monarchy.1:45Yet the succession itself is clean, no one disputes who is king.1:54Harold was Europe's oldest monarch and the first Norwegian born in over six1:58centuries.1:59He was consecrated, not crowned, and was known as a unifying figure after the 20112:04attacks, visiting 353 of Norway's 357 municipalities.2:09He married a commoner, Sonia, and both his children married commoners.2:12Despite his health issues, he refused to abdicate, citing his oath for life.2:16Mourning is national.2:18Flags at half-mast, a 21-gun salute from Akershus Fortress, and the coffin lying in2:24the palace chapel for the public to file past.2:26Tributes also came from Storting President Garakani and footballer Erling Holland.2:31The question now is whether Hakon 8 can restore trust.2:34The funeral and his address will be the first test.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗