Crown Prince Haakon became King Haakon following the death of his father, Harald V. King Haakon’s eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has now become Crown Princess and heir to the throne. On August 28, 2026, King Haakon VIII and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra met with ministers for an extraordinary Council of State at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
King Haakon is the younger child of the late King Harald, born two years after his sister, Princess Märtha Louise. As the eldest male child, however, he became heir to the throne when his grandfather, King Olav, died in 1991. The Norwegian Constitution was amended in 1990 to allow future firstborn children, regardless of gender, to take precedence in the line of succession. However, the change was not applied retroactively.
King Haakon holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, specialising in international trade and Africa. In 1995, he graduated from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy.
Showing up for duty even when your are deeply grieving!
ReplyDeleteThey mave a great team KIng Haakon VIII and Crown Princess Ingrid
Heartbreaking and moving. Condolences to the whole family
DeleteSono certa che re Haakon saprà farsi amare così come è stato per i suoi genitori.
ReplyDeleteIngrid Alexandra è già molto nel suo ruolo, la strada è lunga avrà tutto il tempo per imparare.
Una preghiera per re Harald e un pensiero per Sonja, sono stati l’esempio perfetto di un matrimonio d’amore.
Just an observation, Ingrid is wearing trousers and others ladies are wearing a dress and stockings. Nothing wrong with it, but would have looked more traditionally appropiate...
ReplyDeleteIngrid Alexandra is a very young woman. She looks formal and elegant in her outfit. Absolutely nothing wrong with it.
DeleteThe trousers are a formal representation of a business meeting, solemn as this one is, and therefore quite appropriate in my view. The other ladies are not holding the same role in the meeting as she is.
Delete- Anon 9:13
You’re right. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.
DeleteIn Nordic countries that’s not less appropriate. She is now first in line to become head of state and trousers accentuates her in that way. She is the next regin not a consort.
DeletePerhaps she did this on purpose, normally mourning dress protocol is tight, so there must be a specific reason for a trouser suit. Nonetheless, I find this picture with all official council members in traditional mourning attire very moving.
Delete🌞 Virginia
Other female ministers also wore suits. How do you know what's traditional in Norway? Sometimes we should stop thinking and critizing.
DeleteYour observation is not appropriate anon 12:12. Nothing wrong with CROWN PRINCESS Ingrid Alexandra's suit. Her dark suit is very appropriate for a young Norwegian CP who certainly is confused, sad and tired of all what's happening around her and her family. Her grandfather died this morning and she certainly doesn't think of stockings and dresses. Some people here just can't be human. -Mirella
DeleteLeave this girl alone. Can't you see she is deeply grieved. A dark pant suit is as good as a dark dress. The others are the government. We don't know what the rules are in Norway. Their black outfits (men as well as women) were probably already prepared since the beginning of the week. Maybe the government has strict rules in case of the death of a king or queen. Maybe CP Alexandra had no time to buy a black dress. Besides does it matter ? Her grandfather is gone and the fact that she is wearing a pant suit won't hurt anybody. Better wish her much courage for the days to come. Don't forget her mother is not completely recovered yet. There are so many things CP Ingrid Alexandra will have to face.
DeleteTrousers are perfect for the occasion.
DeleteFor goodness sake, like a 22 year old woman, educated, knows her role and expectations , has advisers including her father and grandmother would dress inappropriately. Come on really
DeleteSul serio è stata criticata una ragazza di 22 anni per i pantaloni? Tra l'altro uno splendido completo, serio ed elegante.
DeleteSe non si ha nulla da dire, meglio non dire nulla.
The responses are pathetic!
Delete100% appropriate -
DeleteI think Ingrid Alexandra looks 100% appropriate.
Delete-Royal Watcher
Please, this is not the right moment to have such a discussio.n..
DeleteAs Anon 18:10 said "pathetic
Besides sincere sympathies, I offer best wishes to both King Haakon VIII and CP Ingrid Alexandra as they assume their new roles and duties upon the demise of King Harald V.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
Indeed, God’s speed to them. MR
DeleteWill King Haakon have a coronation ceremony? Not all monarchies do. I wonder what Mette Merit’s title will be? Queen? Queen Consort?
ReplyDeleteNo. Norway removed coronations from their constitution in 1908. The rulers found it to be undemocratic and old fashioned. He will be blessed by the church in Nidaros cathedral like his dad and grandad did.
DeleteHe will not. Norway does not allow coronations as of 2906. HM K Haakon VII and his wife, HM Q Maud, were the last monarchs in Norway to have a coronation in 1905.
DeleteNo, there is no coronation seremony in Norway. The CP becomes king at the same moment the former king dies. Mette-Marit is now Hennes Majestet Queen Mette-Marit and Sonja's title is still Queen Sonja.
DeleteMi sembra di aver letto che sarà regina consorte, ed è corretto così.
Deletehttps://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/515837/why-crown-prince-haakon-wont-have-coronation/
DeleteThis is what Duty is all about: forgetting about how heartbroken you are,,swallowing your tears, fulfilling immediate obligation, taking command of the toughest occurences and keeping entirely focused on your work.
ReplyDeleteWell done to King Haakon and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
Yes they having been training and preparing for this moment their whole lives and know what is expected of them and have the maturity and humility to do so.
Delete@ Anonymous 15:08
DeleteYes, that's how it is done and not only in royal contexts.
You might happen to find a place to cry your tears once in a while but you have to take control on your emotional self fast (everyone is a human after all) .
Duty won't wait for your tears to cease and you can never forget the way you have been trained to face adversity.
You know you are there to serve and be a reassuring presence, not to be be served and reassured by others.
And yes, it entails a high level of maturity and personal sacrifice.
Guess how come I know that?
I utterly admire King Harald and Crown Princess
* high degree of maturity
Delete* King Haakon and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
DeleteKing Haakon will be a great king and Alexandra will be a great Crown Princess!
ReplyDeleteSaid it before on the other post about the passing of King Harald V, and I repeat it here: When you look into the faces of King Haakon VIII and Crown Princess Ingrid-Alexandra, full of sorrow and grief, I only can applaud the decision of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark to abdicate and have her son take over the throne in a much more happy and festive mood than being in full mourning. A wise woman she certainly is.
ReplyDeleteCriticizing King Harald on the day of his death? Not very thoughtful. He lived out the commitment he made to his country upon taking the crown, just as most monarchs have done and will do.
DeleteI am sure it is very difficult and sad to assume these new duties while grieving the loss of a parent and grandparent, and I respect Queen Margrethe’s decision. The Netherlands was similar with Queen Beatrix stepping down. But I also respect the positions of Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald that they took an oath/vow for life and intended to see it through to the very end. Different countries certainly have different traditions in this regard. I can see that as to
DeleteNorway, assuming these duties earlier maybe would have been harder for Haakon before Ingrid Alexander was old enough to really carry out duties as Crown Princess and during the worst of Mette Marit’s health situation/lung transplant. So maybe in some ways King Harald gave his son the gift of time. I hope and suspect Haakon and Ingrid Alexandra will have a lot of support with the logistical aspects of the transition from courtiers and the like.
-Royal Watcher
I agree. It's so sad to have wait for a person's passing to move into a forever job. I think Margrethe's abdication was a great example of how to modernize a monarchy and make the inheritance of the 'top job' one of anticipation instead of profound sadness. God Bless the new King and Heir.
DeleteMaybe wise, maybe not, but certainly a rude mother-in-law.
DeleteVirginia, I agree the picture is very moving.
DeleteDSC I also agree with you, but I can not stop wondering if this, not abdicating, was a gift to Haakon and his family. If you think about it, the last three, two years have not been easy, Marius'affairs, MM's health, Ingrid trying to get the student experience... So probably the King just wanted to hold as long as possible for their sake... Also a heartbreaking thought
Luna
Well people do things for different reasons, and I respectfully disagree, the king made the right decision for his country and family.
DeleteLuna and others completely wrong. My king said he took and oath and that ment for life. The Scandinavian countries doesn't have a tradition for abdication. Never have. Only Margrethe has made the choice even if she said she never would, but because of health issues she changed her mind. Stop this it's disrespectful on the day our beloved king died.
DeleteI agree with Anon 16:14
Delete- Anon 9:13
@ Anonymous 18;02
DeleteI feel sad, just can't realize why Helen is letting controversy prevail over respectful comments.on the day of your great King's death.
Bad timing , imo.
He chose to stay in office " for life" , abdication being something alien to his mindset.
Let's just respect his decision.
However , what counts most is the overflow of affection and gratitude shown by the Norwegian people and the worldwide tributes honoring his outstanding lifelong service.
I know you people of Norway love King Harald deeply and sincerely and your country is so marvellous!
King Harald has been true to his oath till the very last breath, which is so typical of the Scandinavian Monarchies (as far as I know).
Kudos to him!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThat’s true 15:42, there’s been a lot of grief and heartache in the family.
Delete18:03 your comment is rude and unneeded.
Luna, Thank you for mentioning me, I found the dignity of the council meeting in harmonious mourning attire so touching, I had to cry, and it reflected the grace with which the late king faced the burden of his crown until the very end.
ReplyDelete🌞 Virginia
King Harald’s body will be transferred from the National Hospital to the Royal Palace on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. local time, traveling through central Oslo in a procession accompanied by King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Princess Märtha Louise. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects at the palace chapel, where the king will remain until his funeral.
ReplyDeleteLooking at these pictures, heart breaks for new king Haakon. He has to deal with assuming the burdens of kingship, while not only grieving the loss of his father, but facing the continuing concerns about his wife’s health and the awful situation of his stepson’s impending imprisonment. In addition he must be conscious of the pressure this places on his daughter. Condolences to the whole family and prayers that they will find peace and strength in the days ahead
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the death of KING HARALD ... and the whole family!!!!
ReplyDeleteR.I.P. HRH King Harlald!!!
May God bless ALL of the FAMILY!
Que toute la famille et entourage reçoivent mes plus sincères condoléances !
ReplyDeleteEnvoyer ses condoléances...par ce biais aux personnes inconnues de la part d'une inconnue... tout de même bizarre et particulièr.
Delete21:15 you can allow other humans to do what they feel to do in response to the death of a famous figure. No comment of bizarreness required, they can feel very discouraging to someone who feels genuine sadness for others.
DeleteJe ne vois pas en quoi ce commentaire est déplacé ??? C'est plutôt celui de la personne qui envoie son commentaire...dans le vent
DeleteEt aussi le vôtre
@ 21:15
DeleteNon, on ne connaît pas la famille du roi Harald personellement, ce qui ne veut pas dire qu'on ne peut pas présenter nos condoléances à la famille du défunt. Des sincères condoléances envoyées, même anonyme, à la famille sont probablement appréciés par le roi Haakon, la reine Mette-Marit et leurs enfants, ainsi que par la reine Sonja et les autres membres de la famille. Cela prouve que le roi Harald a signifié quelque chose non seulement dans son propre pays, mais aussi dans d'autres pays de l'Europe.
The end of duty and love for country. YM RIP.
ReplyDeletecss
What does this comment even mean?
DeleteThe dignity and grace both are showing, is heartfelt and palpable. Duty and love for the country. I admire their composure, greatly. God give them the strength to carry on, bless them both at this trying and sad time.
ReplyDeleteLeggo commenti sul perché un re non abdichi quando è il momento di riposare e lasciare spazio alla discendenza. Per molti è un “lavoro” che va svolto fino alla fine, come è stato per Elisabetta II, e altri avranno abdicato per ragioni di Stato o di salute.
ReplyDeletePerò ricordo anche che, dopo tutte le brutte notizie su Mette Marit, molti qui speravano che re Harald non avesse mai abdicato perché suo figlio non era pronto e soprattutto non si voleva sua moglie regina consorte.
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