Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon has officially taken over as the country’s monarch following the death of his father, King Harald V.

The 53-year-old royal became King Haakon VIII after an extraordinary Council of State meeting held at the Royal Palace in Oslo on Friday, where he formally assumed his constitutional responsibilities.

During the ceremony, the new monarch announced that he would continue using Norway’s traditional royal motto, “Alt for Norge” (“All for Norway”), which has been associated with previous generations of the royal family.

“I will take the name Haakon VIII and continue the same motto chosen by my father, grandfather and great-grandfather: Alt for Norge,” the new king said.

King Haakon informed the Norwegian government of his father’s passing and confirmed that he had assumed the duties of the monarchy in line with the country’s Constitution.

He expressed appreciation to the government and citizens of Norway for their support and condolences to the Royal Family during the period of mourning.

Norway mourns King Harald V

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre offered condolences on behalf of the government and citizens, describing King Harald V’s death as a moment of national grief.

He praised the late monarch’s decades of service and commitment to Norway.

The Royal House announced that King Harald V died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 6:35 a.m. local time on Friday.

The former king, aged 89, had been admitted to hospital on August 17 after his health condition worsened.

According to the Royal House, Harald had been undergoing treatment for hemolytic anaemia and a bacterial infection in his bloodstream.

His condition had been described as “very serious” before his death.

Legacy of King Harald V

King Harald V became Norway’s monarch in 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V.

During his reign, he became known for his close relationship with the Norwegian people and his role as a unifying figure for the country.

The late king experienced several health challenges in recent years and received a permanent pacemaker in 2024.

Despite his health difficulties, he continued carrying out official responsibilities with support from members of the Royal Family.

New era under King Haakon VIII

King Haakon VIII was born on July 20, 1973, and had previously served as regent on several occasions when his father was unable to perform official duties due to illness or overseas engagements.

Under Norway’s constitutional succession system, he automatically inherited the throne following King Harald V’s death.

His eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has now become Crown Princess of Norway and the next person in line to the throne.

The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for Norway’s monarchy as King Haakon VIII takes responsibility for continuing the traditions and duties of the Norwegian Crown.

Background Information

Norway’s monarchy dates back more than a century in its modern form, beginning with King Haakon VII, who became the first monarch of independent Norway in 1905.

The monarchy serves primarily as a symbolic institution representing national unity, tradition and continuity.

King Harald V ruled Norway for more than three decades after succeeding King Olav V in 1991.