Norway's new King Haakon VIII officially takes the throne
Following the death of King Harald V, Norway's new monarch, Haakon VIII, officially ascended to the throne on Friday. He announced he would keep the royal motto "All for Norway."
Norway's new king, Haakon VIII, officially took the throne on Friday, August 28, following the death of his father, King Harald V, broadcaster NRK reported.
Around 11:00, the new monarch arrived at the Royal Palace in Oslo accompanied by Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Shortly afterward, the government also arrived at the palace.
An extraordinary cabinet meeting opened with a moment of silence in mourning for the late king. During the meeting, the government was formally informed of Harald V's death.
Council of State meeting
At 11:30, a Council of State meeting was held at the Royal Palace — the first chaired by Haakon since his accession. During the meeting, the new king announced he would take the name Haakon VIII and would retain the royal motto used by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather: "All for Norway."
Addressing the government, Haakon VIII announced his father's death and stated that, in accordance with Norway's constitution, he had assumed the throne as king. He said his duty was to inform the Council of State that his father, His Majesty King Harald V, had died on August 28, 2026, at 6:35 in the morning, and that he had taken the throne as King of Norway under the provisions of the constitution.
After the meeting concluded, the royal flag over the palace was raised to full height again, this time in honor of the new king. At the same time, a flag at half-mast will remain on the palace balcony in mourning for the late Harald V until the funeral is completed.
About the new king
Haakon was born in 1973 as heir to the throne. In recent years he has gradually taken on more responsibilities within the royal family and often carried out official duties alongside his father.
King Harald V, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, died at the age of 89. He had been treated for hemolytic anemia, and his condition worsened significantly this week. On Thursday, August 27, after the royal court announced the decline in his health, people began bringing flowers, Norwegian flags and candles to the Royal Palace.
