All articles tagged with #haakon viii
Princess Astrid of Norway, 94, died on September 11, just two days after attending her brother King Harald V's funeral. She was the last surviving child of King Olav V and served as Norway's first lady from 1954 to 1968. Her death follows a period of national mourning and royal scandal, including the recent funeral of Harald and ongoing legal issues involving his family.
Norway held a state funeral for King Harald V on September 9, 2026, marking the end of his 35-year reign. The ceremony in Oslo drew tens of thousands of mourners and international dignitaries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Britain's Prince William. The event concluded with new King Haakon VIII waving from the Royal Palace balcony, symbolizing the start of a new era for the monarchy despite recent controversies involving his wife, Queen Mette-Marit.
King Haakon VIII officially assumed power by swearing an oath before the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, on September 1, 2026. His wife, Queen Mette-Marit, was absent due to health issues following a recent lung transplant, leading to a historic moment where two women held the title of queen simultaneously. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, served as first lady during the ceremony, marking her first major official appearance in her new role as heir to the throne.
King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest monarch, died at age 89 on August 28, 2026, after a 35-year reign that modernized the Norwegian monarchy. He is succeeded by his son, Crown Prince Haakon, who becomes King Haakon VIII. The death follows a brief hospitalization for a blood disorder and infection, marking the end of an era defined by transparency and public engagement.