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Norway’s new king stands with daughter to take oath, as support for scandal-hit royals recovers
Australia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9 hr. ago

Norway’s new king stands with daughter to take oath, as support for scandal-hit royals recovers

On September 2, 2026, Norway's new King Haakon VIII formally began his reign by taking an oath in parliament following the death of his father, King Harald, who passed away at 89. Despite ongoing scandals involving Queen Mette-Marit and her son Marius Borg Høiby, convicted of rape in June, public support for the monarchy appears to be recovering. During the ceremony, King Haakon was accompanied by his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who recently returned to Norway from her studies at the University of Sydney. Marius Høiby, though not a royal, attended certain events related to King Harald's funeral, including carrying the coffin. Queen Mette-Marit, who had undergone a lung transplant earlier in the year, missed the parliamentary ceremony due to health reasons. The event focused on Haakon and Ingrid Alexandra, who signed oaths of allegiance, while attention remained on the monarchy's role amid controversy.

Norway’s new king, Haakon VIII, formally began his reign on September 2, 2026, by taking an oath in parliament in Oslo. The ceremony followed the death of his father, King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89 earlier that week. The event marked the transition of power within the Norwegian royal family and underscored the continued relevance of the monarchy despite ongoing scandals involving other members of the royal household. The oath-taking ceremony took place in the Storting, Norway’s parliamentary assembly, with King Haakon flanked by his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Both were clad in black, symbolizing mourning for the recently deceased monarch. Ingrid Alexandra, currently a student at the University of Sydney, became the new heir to the throne. Her presence at the ceremony highlighted the generational continuity within the royal family, even as public scrutiny of other royal figures persists. The proceedings were attended by thousands of Norwegians who gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo to pay tribute to the late king. The event reflected a growing public support for the monarchy, which had faced criticism over recent controversies. These included allegations against Queen Mette-Marit, the king’s wife, and her son, Marius Borg Høiby. Høiby, who was convicted of rape in June and received a four-year prison sentence, had appealed the ruling and was released ahead of the ceremonies. He participated in some of the events, including standing behind King Harald’s coffin during its transfer to the royal palace chapel. Despite his legal troubles, Høiby was treated as a family member due to his biological connection to Queen Mette-Marit. He was expected to attend King Harald’s funeral, though he did not participate in the parliamentary oath ceremony. Public concern surrounding Mette-Marit also intensified after reports emerged about her alleged friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. However, she joined the procession on Monday, though she was unable to attend the parliamentary session due to a last-minute cancellation related to her recovery from a lung transplant. Ingrid Alexandra, the new crown princess, has maintained a dual role as a student and royal figure. She returned to Norway in June from her studies at the University of Sydney, where she pursued a three-year bachelor’s degree in international relations and political economy. While she temporarily left her academic pursuits to accompany her mother during medical treatment, she continues her studies at the University of Oslo under an exchange program. Her presence at the ceremony signified her readiness to assume her future responsibilities. The new king was accompanied by his mother, Queen Sonja, and his son with Mette-Marit, Prince Sverre Magnus, who is 20 years old. The absence of a traditional coronation ceremony reflects Norway’s unique approach to monarchy, which emphasizes parliamentary authority rather than ceremonial pomp. The Norwegian royal family was established through a parliamentary process in 1905, distinguishing it from other European monarchies. During his address to the Storting, King Haakon expressed his commitment to maintaining the close relationships with political leaders that characterized his predecessors. He pledged to govern in accordance with the constitution and laws of Norway, invoking divine assistance in his vow. The ceremony was presided over by the president of the parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, a former refugee from Iran who praised the late king for his contributions to the nation.

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6 reports

news.com.au logonews.com.auIndependentProgressiveFactual 55Objective 405 days ago
Next Queen of Norway’s wild past

The article discusses the controversial and unconventional background of the future Queen of Norway, highlighting aspects of her personal life and decisions that have sparked public debate. It references her non-traditional upbringing, early career choices, and notable actions that deviate from traditional royal expectations. The piece emphasizes the contrast between her modern approach and historical norms within the monarchy. While the focus is on her biography, the tone suggests a critical perspective toward her lifestyle and choices.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the future Queen's 'wild' past in a manner that implies criticism of traditional values, suggesting a progressive or liberal viewpoint. The emphasis on her non-conformity aligns with a left-leaning critique of conservative institutions.

Why factuality (55): The article lacks specific details about the event being discussed and appears to focus more on sensationalized personal history rather than verified facts. Without a primary source document, factuality must rely on cross-source consensus, but this article does not provide sufficient information to

Why objectivity (40): The tone is highly subjective and leans towards entertainment rather than objective reporting. The title 'wild past' suggests a biased or exaggerated portrayal of the subject's history, indicating a lack of neutrality.

The Age logoThe AgeIndependentProgressiveFactual 40Objective 4510 days ago
‘Scroungers’ or worth a second chance: What Londoners really think of Harry and Meghan

On August 23, 2026, a reporter interviews Londoners about public opinion regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's potential return to the United Kingdom. The royal couple, who have been living in California, are expected to move to a private residence near London and enroll their children in British schools. Public sentiment is divided, with some expressing support for their reintegration into the royal family, while others criticize the monarchy's financial burden and perceived elitism. Opinions range from empathy towards the couple to strong criticism, with some individuals labeling them as 'scroungers' and calling for the royal family to be removed from public life. Recent polling indicates that 64% of British voters still support keeping the monarchy, despite concerns over its costs.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames public opinion with a focus on criticisms of the monarchy's financial impact and perceived elitism, which aligns with left-leaning perspectives. While it presents both supportive and critical views, the emphasis on the monarchy's cost and the portrayal of Meghan as a 'gold digger'

Why factuality (40): The article discusses public opinion on Harry and Meghan but does not reference the primary source document. It includes speculative details like 'the Duke of Sussex is waiting for me' and mentions specific locations and events not present in the official data. These elements suggest fabrication or

Why objectivity (45): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'scroungers' and presents a biased narrative through direct quotes that may reflect the author's perspective. It frames the royal family as an 'ancient hangover of a corrupt society,' showing clear bias rather than presenting balanced viewpoints.

The Age logoThe AgeIndependentCenter9 hr. ago
Norway’s new king stands with daughter to take oath, as support for scandal-hit royals recovers

On September 2, 2026, Norway’s new king, Haakon VIII, took his oath in parliament to begin his reign following the death of his father, King Harald V, who passed away at 89. The ceremony in Oslo saw Haakon flanked by his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who is studying at the University of Sydney. Public support for the monarchy appears to be rising despite ongoing scandals involving the royal family, particularly surrounding Queen Mette-Marit and her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who was recently convicted of rape and is appealing the verdict. Høiby, though not officially royal, was included in royal events and attended the transfer of King Harald’s coffin. Mette-Marit, who had been recovering from a lung transplant, participated in the procession but did not attend the parliamentary ceremony due to health reasons.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the event, focusing on the ceremonial aspects and the broader context of public sentiment toward the monarchy. While it mentions ongoing scandals involving the royal family, it does not overtly criticize or praise any side, maintaining neutrality in its phr

The Sydney Morning Herald logoThe Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentCenter9 hr. ago
Norway’s new king stands with daughter to take oath, as support for scandal-hit royals recovers

On September 2, 2026, Norway's new King Haakon VIII formally began his reign by taking an oath in parliament following the death of his father, King Harald, who passed away at 89. Despite ongoing scandals involving Queen Mette-Marit and her son Marius Borg Høiby, convicted of rape in June, public support for the monarchy appears to be recovering. During the ceremony, King Haakon was accompanied by his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who recently returned to Norway from her studies at the University of Sydney. Marius Høiby, though not a royal, attended certain events related to King Harald's funeral, including carrying the coffin. Queen Mette-Marit, who had undergone a lung transplant earlier in the year, missed the parliamentary ceremony due to health reasons. The event focused on Haakon and Ingrid Alexandra, who signed oaths of allegiance, while attention remained on the monarchy's role amid controversy.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the Norwegian monarchy's transition, highlighting both the ceremonial aspects and the controversies surrounding Queen Mette-Marit and her son. It includes perspectives from various figures involved, such as the king, queen, crown princess, and convicted rap

The Age logoThe AgeIndependentCenter3 days ago
Harry and Meghan must decide. Play the royal game or ditch the titles

This opinion piece discusses the ongoing dilemma faced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle regarding their royal titles and their relationship with the British monarchy. The author argues that despite their public criticism of the institution, they continue to benefit from their royal status, including financial gains through ventures like Archewell and their influence as celebrities. The article highlights their recent return to Britain and examines the tension between their desire for privacy and their need for public visibility. It questions whether their continued association with the monarchy is genuine or driven by self-interest, noting that their children are being enrolled in English schools, reinforcing their ties to the royal heritage.

Bias read (Center): While the article presents a critical view of Harry and Meghan's actions, it does not overtly favor one political ideology over another. The framing focuses on analyzing their motivations and contradictions rather than promoting a specific political agenda. The article maintains a balanced approach,

The Sydney Morning Herald logoThe Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentProgressive3 days ago
Harry and Meghan must decide. Play the royal game or ditch the titles

This opinion piece from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the ongoing tension surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with the British monarchy. The author argues that despite their public criticism of the institution, the couple continues to benefit from their royal titles and public persona. The article highlights their return to Britain as a strategic move that reinforces their connection to the monarchy, even as they advocate for greater privacy and autonomy. It critiques their dual approach of seeking financial success through media and entertainment ventures while maintaining royal status, suggesting that their actions contradict their stated values. The piece also references their past criticisms of the monarchy, including concerns about racial bias within the royal family, and questions the sincerity of their stance.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a conflict between the monarchy and individual rights, emphasizing the couple's desire for privacy and autonomy. It critiques the monarchy's perceived biases and suggests that the royal family's influence over the couple's public image is a form of institutional压迫

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