Norway mourns King Harald as new era begins under Haakon VIII

King Haakon VIII of Norway begins his reign with the challenges of overcoming his family's image issues and preserving national cohesion. Upon the death of his father, King Olaf V in 1991, 89-year-old Haakon VIII was initially filled with anxiety, fearing he would not measure up to his father's popularity. After 35 years on the throne, Harald VIII was hailed for symbolizing national unity and maintaining the monarchy's relevance by staying in touch with the public.

His son, Haakon VIII, will take the oath before Parliament next Tuesday, inheriting the task of preserving national cohesion as his family faces a deep crisis. Kjetil Alstadheim, a political editor and commentator for Aftenposten, notes that it can be difficult to replace a highly popular parent, as Harald had done with his own father.

The recent death of the king has brought an empathetic wave of support for the new king, with memories of Harald's 2016 speech about what it means to be Norwegian still fresh in people's minds. Norway currently leads international statistics in wealth, equality, safety, and health, but the country is not immune to the tensions and inequalities present in other liberal democracies.

The left-wing Labor Party governs, while the xenophobic Progress Party holds the second position in Parliament. The most personal challenge for the royal family is the condition of Queen Mette-Marit, who is recovering from a lung transplant and will need to adapt her official schedule. Her close relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein has scandalized the family, but the scandal has faded in the public's attention since the death of Harald.

Alstadheim asserts that Haakon VIII's past experience with turbulence and stability will serve him well as king. Caroline Vagle, a royal expert from the magazine Se og Hor, supports this statement, emphasizing that Haakon VIII must unite the country and maintain stability during these uncertain times. The new generation of royals, including the Crown Princess Ingrid Alejandra and her brother Prince Sverre Magnus, are in their early twenties and are currently studying, leaving a gap in active members of the royal family.