Norway’s new King, Haakon VIII, didn’t actually want to become heir to the throne
Norway has a new king, and his route to the throne was rather less straightforward than you might expect.
Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has acceded to the throne following the death of his father, King Harald V, on Friday (28 August), becoming King Haakon VIII.
Haakon was born two years after his sister, Princess Märtha Louise, but became heir when his grandfather, King Olav, died in 1991.
Norway changed its constitution in 1990 to introduce absolute primogeniture for future firstborn children, regardless of gender. The change did not apply retrospectively, meaning Haakon remained ahead of his older sister in the line of succession.
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But long before he became king, Haakon apparently had very different plans for his future.
Writing in a 1998 book, he revealed that as a child he dreamed of owning a toy shop, before eventually realising that his path to the throne had already been decided.
He studied political science at the University of California, Berkeley, before completing a master’s degree in development studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He also graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and completed diplomatic training with the Foreign Ministry.
Away from the books and royal duties, Haakon is a keen surfer, skier and sports fan. He previously told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that, if he were not a royal, he would have chosen surfing as a career.
He is also a fan of rock and rap and attended European music festivals during his younger years, which is where he met his future wife Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby back in 1999.
She was a single mother whose son’s father had been imprisoned for cocaine possession, and her own association with a party scene where illegal drugs were used attracted plenty of media attention.
The couple faced a divided public before marrying at Oslo Cathedral in August 2001.
His father, King Harald, eventually gave the couple permission to marry. Harald had himself married a commoner, Queen Sonja.
Haakon and Mette-Marit went on to have two children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Haakon also became stepfather to Marius Borg Høiby.
Høiby, who has no royal title, was sentenced to four years in prison in June after being convicted of rape, assault and abuse in a close relationship. He was found guilty of two of four rape charges and acquitted of the other two. His lawyers said he would appeal.
The royal family has also faced scrutiny over Mette-Marit’s past contact with Jeffrey Epstein. She has apologised for the association and said she was manipulated and deceived by him.
Topics: Europe, Royal Family, World News
Rhiannon Ingle