Who is King Haakon? What to know about Norway’s new monarch

On Friday, Crown Prince Haakon assumed the throne of Norway upon the passing of his father, Harald. Born Haakon Magnus on July 20, 1973, the new king spent his early years attending a state primary school, before moving on to a private secondary institution. Before pursuing politics and development studies, Haakon joined the navy. The monarch exhibits a fondness for music and surfing, even contemplating a professional surfing career if he were not a royal.

Haakon's personal life took an unexpected turn when he met Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby at a music festival. Initially, the media sparked controversy due to her status as a commoner and single parent with a son from a prior relationship. However, Haakon has remained steadfast in his support for his wife. Their marriage faced further scrutiny when Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was subsequently arrested and charged with rape and domestic violence, for which he was recently sentenced to four years in prison.

Haakon has expressed sympathy towards the accusers and called for his stepson to face the judicial system like any other individual.

The new King Haakon VIII (should he choose to keep his name) will officially announce his chosen royal name at an extraordinary council of state. In Norway, the royal family does not bear a surname. In the line of succession, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who is currently 22 years old, stands as the rightful heir apparent. She is poised to become Norway's first female head of state since Queen Margaret I ruled over Norway, Sweden, and Denmark in the early 1300s.

Following Ingrid Alexandra are her younger siblings, Prince Sverre Magnus and Hoiby. The Norwegian royal family is closely related to other European monarchies, with King Haakon VII being the brother of Denmark's king when Norway gained independence from Sweden in 1905.