After King Harald V’s death, what comes next for Norway’s scandal-prone royals?

Norway's King Haakon VIII has ascended to the throne following the death of his father, King Harald V, who passed away after a 35-year reign. The new monarch is expected to benefit from the national unity that often follows the loss of a monarch. However, the royal family has been under intense scrutiny in recent years due to a series of scandals, including Queen Mette-Marit's past association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and her son's rape trial.

Despite the controversies, public sentiment seems to have softened, with experts suggesting that the passing of Harald V could help the royal family regain support and empathy. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed the nation's mourning, stating, "a whole nation is in mourning." King Haakon VIII, 53, chose to keep his motto "All for Norway" and thanked the Norwegian people for their support and compassion during this difficult time.