PROFILE: Norway’s new King Haakon VII takes throne, faces royal scandals
As comfortable in a duffel coat as in ceremonial dress, Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VII, is the new face of a monarchy long praised for its modernity and modesty, but now beset by woe and scandal. Haakon automatically succeeded to the throne Friday after his father, King Harald, passed away peacefully earlier in the Read More:…
King Haakon VII has taken the throne of Norway following the death of his father, King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89. According to the palace, King Harald died peacefully at 06:35 local time on Friday at the National Hospital in Oslo. He had been taken to hospital the previous week for treatment for a rare blood condition.
King Harald was Norway's first king born in Norway since the 14th century and had been on the throne for 35 years. He was known for modernizing the monarchy and was a popular figure, often referred to as the "People's king". He was succeeded by his 53-year-old son, King Haakon, who will hold an extraordinary council of state with the government.
Tributes have been paid to King Harald from other royal families, including King Charles III and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, also sent a cable of condolences to King Haakon. King Harald's death has prompted widespread mourning in Norway, with crowds laying flowers at the palace and the royal flag being lowered to half-mast.
Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Global News, The Peninsula Qatar, MyJoyOnline Ghana, Toronto Sun — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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