Norway Begins a New Chapter in Its History as King Haakon VIII Ascends the Throne

Norway began a new chapter in its history on Saturday under its new monarch, King Haakon VIII, succeeding his father, Harald V, who had united Norwegians around him for 35 years.

Large numbers of Norwegians flocked to the Royal Palace in Oslo, where the ground was covered with piles of flowers, after more than 20,000 people had gathered on Friday to honor the king, who died at the age of 89.

Messages of condolence poured in from European monarchs and world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised the memory of a “strong man, proud, and highly respected.”

However, following the example of his father and grandfather before him, Haakon may choose to have his reign blessed during a ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, where Norwegian kings were crowned between 1814 and 1906.

Attention is also focused on Mette-Marit, the new king’s wife, due to her relationship with the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Documents declassified in the United States last January revealed ongoing correspondence between them between 2011 and 2014, after his formal conviction.

Mette-Marit, 53, who already suffers from a serious lung disease, underwent a lung transplant last July.