Ol' Blighty

Haakon VIII Sworn In as King Amidst Royal Family Scrutiny

Controversy surrounds Marius Borg Høiby's presence at King Harald V's funeral, as Queen Mette-Marit remains absent.

A lone, heavy wooden gavel on a polished mahogany desk, dramatically lit.
Callum Smith
Callum Smith
Haakon VIII has sworn an oath before parliament in Oslo, formally ascending to the Norwegian throne.
King Haakon VIII swore: "I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and Laws; so help me God, the Almighty and Omniscient." Norway abolished formal coronations over a century ago.
Queen Mette-Marit, King Haakon VIII's wife, was notably absent from the formal proceedings. She reportedly underwent a lung transplant in June and is understood to have been receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia.
Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, received temporary leave from house arrest to attend the state funeral of King Harald V on September 9. Høiby currently serves a four-year prison sentence under house arrest following a conviction for two counts of rape and 32 other offenses.
He was reportedly found guilty on two counts of rape and 30 additional charges, including domestic violence toward a former partner. Marius Borg Høiby claims he is appealing against a four-year prison sentence following convictions for two counts of rape and 30 other charges.
The decision to temporarily release Høiby from house arrest for the funeral has deeply angered royal fans. The Norwegian royal family has reportedly continued to post pictures of Høiby after his sentencing.
Beyond the legal debate, the royal household has faced ongoing scrutiny over Queen Mette-Marit's friendship with late American financier Jeffrey Epstein. Tens of thousands of citizens gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo to leave floral tributes for the late King.
Mourners began paying their respects at the late King's coffin, with the royal palace chapel reportedly open daily for public viewing until September 8. Olav Fykse Tveit, president of the Church of Norway, will preside over the funeral service.
King Charles III is understood to be King Harald's cousin.