Norwegians on King Haakon: "It will be fine"
Norway's new King Haakon. Photographed here on the palace balcony on Wednesday, when he was still crown prince. Photo: Cornelius Poppe/NTB/TT
A day has passed since Norway's "grandfather", King Harald V, died at the age of 89. When Norwegians wake up on Saturday, many still see a bright future with his successor, King Haakon VIII.
- Haakon will be fine as king, says Erik Schjerven to TT.
Erik Schjerven visited the palace on Friday evening with his family. Like many others, he had a bouquet of flowers in his arms to place in the enormous sea of flowers that has formed in front of the palace.
- An era is over, he says.
But the end of an era also means that a new one is beginning. In this case, it has already begun. King Harald's son Haakon took over the throne following his father's death and on Tuesday, September 1, he will swear the oath of allegiance in the Storting.
“A year of scandal”
King Harald was well-liked by the Norwegians and there are many indications that the 53-year-old King Haakon will also be very popular when he takes over.
Erik Schjerven believes that things will be good “despite the scandals”.
“His family has had a bit of a scandalous year,” he says.
By scandals, he refers to Queen Mette-Marit's history of contacts with the now-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This came to light at the beginning of the year when documents linked to the Epstein investigation were made public in the US.
In addition, things have been turbulent to say the least around Mette-Marit's son Marius Borg Høiby – the so-called “bonus prince” who was sentenced to four years in prison in June for, among other things, rape. Marius Borg Høiby is the Queen's son from a previous relationship and is not part of the royal family.
"Time heals all wounds"
Mette-Marit has also had to think about her own health, in addition to all the commotion surrounding her son. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018 and underwent a risky lung transplant in June and has a long rehabilitation period before she is completely healthy.
- All that may come into play, but time heals all wounds. Haakon will be fine, says Erik Schjerven.
Rolf Christian Holth Olsen has the same attitude towards the new regent.
- I think it will go very well when Haakon takes over. I am not worried about the royal family in the future, he says.
Inger Johanne says she is "thinking about the future king":
- It is a difficult time for him now. But I think it will be very good.
King Harald died on Friday morning at the age of 89.
Facts
King Haakon VIII
Haakon was born on 20 July 1973 in Oslo as the second child of King Harald and Queen Sonja.
He graduated from Kristelig Gymnasium in Oslo in 1992 and completed his education at the Sjøkrigsskolen in Bergen in 1995.
He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree from the London School of Economics with a specialization in international trade and Africa.
He is a general in the army, an admiral in the Navy and a general in the Air Force. With the royal title, he becomes the supreme commander according to the constitution.
Married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in Oslo Cathedral in 2001.
The couple has two children: Ingrid Alexandra, born 2004, and Sverre Magnus, born 2005. Haakon is also the stepfather of Marius Borg Høiby.
Haakon has adopted the same motto as his father: "Everything for Norway".
Source: The Royal House and NTB
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