Norway's King Haakon, the new face of a monarchy shaken by scandal
Norway's King Haakon VIII automatically succeeded to the throne after his father, King Harald, passed away on Friday. As comfortable in a duffel coat as in ceremonial dress, he is the new face of a monarchy long praised for its modernity and modesty, but now beset by woe and scandal. He swears an oath before the government later in the day.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed condolences over the death of Norway's King Harald V, who passed away on August 28 at the age of 89. In a statement on X, Zelenskyy extended his condolences to the Royal House of Norway and the Norwegian people, stating that his thoughts were with the royal family and the Norwegian people during their time of mourning.
Zelenskyy praised King Harald V for his unwavering commitment to his country and for his steadfast support of Ukraine during the darkest days of Russia's aggression toward Ukraine. The late king's visit to a refugee reception center in Norway to meet with Ukrainians who had been forced to flee their homes due to Russian aggression served as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.
In December 2023, King Harald V visited Ukraine at the Royal Palace in Oslo, where he was accompanied by his wife Queen Sonja and then-Crown Prince Haakon along with Crown Princess Mette-Marit. During his public remarks, the late king repeatedly emphasized Russia's aggression against Ukraine and stressed the need to support Ukrainian citizens.
Following his death, King Harald V's son, Haakon, ascended to the throne as the new king of Norway, taking the name Haakon VIII.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Norway mourns King Harald as Haakon VIII ascends throne island.lk
- Norway's crown prince becomes King Haakon after father's death abc.net.au
- Zelenskyy honors late Norway's King Harald V for support of Ukraine english.nv.ua
- Norway mourns king Harald V as crown prince Haakon becomes king euronews.com
- Norway mourns King Harald as Haakon VIII ascends throne bbc.co.uk
- Who is King Haakon VIII? Norway’s new monarch after father Harald V’s death indianexpress.com
