Norway's new monarch King Haakon VIII: His life, role and challenges ahead

Norway has a new king. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, became King Haakon VIII when his father, Harald V, died on Friday.

Haakon's oldest child now becomes Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and heir to the throne.

Haakon is already familiar with the role, having served as regent several times in recent years as his father's health declined.

Norway's monarchy dates back to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century.

Today, the monarch's role is largely symbolic, with political power held by an elected parliament. However, the royal family remains highly visible and plays a role in representing Norway internationally.

Who is Haakon VIII?

Haakon is Harald's younger child, born two years after his sister, Princess Martha Louise. However, as the eldest son, he became heir to the throne when his grandfather, King Olav, died in 1991.

Norway changed its constitution in 1990 to give firstborn children, regardless of gender, priority in the line of succession. The change was not applied retroactively.

Haakon said in a 1998 book that as a child he dreamed of owning a toy shop, but he soon realized that his path was already paved and one day he would become king.

The new King holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's in development studies from the London School of Economics, specialising in international trade and Africa.

He also trained at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and completed a diplomatic training programme.

An avid surfer and skier, Haakon once told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that if he had not been a royal, he would have been a surfer.

A fan of rock and rap, he also attended music festivals across Europe in his youth.

How his marriage divided the country

Haakon met Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby, a single mother, at a music festival in 1999.

Their relationship divided Norway, partly because of her links to a party scene where illegal drugs were used.

While some celebrated the couple, others questioned whether she was suitable for the future king.

Nevertheless, Haakon received his father's permission to marry Mette-Marit, and despite her background, she gradually won over much of the Norwegian public.

The couple married at Oslo Cathedral in August 2001 and have two children, Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.

Haakon also became stepfather to Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Hoiby, who has no royal title.

Challenges facing Haakon: Wife's Epstein ties and stepson's trial

Haakon faces the challenge of stabilising the monarchy and rebuilding the royal family's popularity following revelations about his wife's past contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson's rape conviction.

In June, Hoiby was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of two of four rape charges. He was also convicted of assault and abuse in a close relationship. His lawyers said he will appeal the convictions.

The trial came amid renewed scrutiny of the royal family over Mette-Marit's links to Epstein. She has apologised for maintaining contact with the late sex offender, saying she showed poor judgement. She is not accused of any wrongdoing.

One of Haakon's challenges as king will be rebuilding public support for the royal family, which has declined in recent years and was further damaged by Hoiby's trial.

Haakon's sister, Martha Louise, has also faced criticism over her unconventional beliefs, including claims that she can communicate with angels.

A 2022 poll by Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet found that 68% of respondents supported keeping the monarchy, down from 81% in an NRK poll in 2017.