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.
A 29-year-old man, Marius Borg Høiby, who was recently convicted of two rapes and 32 additional charges, including violence toward a former partner, has been granted temporary release from house arrest to attend the funeral of Norway's late King Harald V. The decision allows him to participate in the state funeral scheduled for September 9, which follows the king's death on August 31 at the age of 89. Høiby, the son of Queen Mette-Marit, was born outside of her marriage to King Haakon VIII, who ascended the throne upon his father's passing. His mother, now queen, assumed her role amid ongoing scrutiny over her past associations, particularly her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Høiby was initially placed under house arrest with an ankle tag after being sentenced to four years in prison in June. However, he is appealing his conviction, and Norwegian authorities have agreed to allow him to leave his residence for the funeral. Police prosecutors stated that the request was considered valid due to the circumstances surrounding the late king's death. Oda Karterud, a police prosecutor, confirmed that the public prosecutor found sufficient justification to approve the request. This marks the second time Høiby has been permitted to leave his home, having previously visited King Harald in the hospital shortly before his death. The approval comes amid heightened attention on the Norwegian royal family, especially following the king's passing. King Harald had been hospitalized since mid-August due to haemolytic anaemia, a condition marked by the rapid destruction of red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. As his health deteriorated, he reduced his public engagements, culminating in his death. His funeral will be held in Oslo, where Norwegians have already begun paying their respects by placing flowers, writing messages, and lighting candles near the royal palace. Large crowds attended memorial services in churches and cathedrals nationwide. Queen Mette-Marit made her first public appearance since becoming queen during the transfer of King Harald's coffin from the hospital to the palace chapel. She had undergone a lung transplant in June after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a condition that causes scarring of lung tissue. Her presence at the ceremony signified a return to public life, though she has remained largely out of the spotlight since her medical procedures. Earlier this year, she publicly apologized for her friendship with Epstein, stating she felt manipulated by the financier and claimed she was unaware of his criminal activities involving minors. The situation has added pressure on the new monarch, King Haakon VIII, who must navigate the challenges of restoring public confidence in the monarchy. These include addressing concerns related to his wife's past and the legal troubles of his stepson. The royal family's reputation has faced strain in recent years, with multiple controversies affecting its standing among the Norwegian public. Høiby's attendance at the funeral has sparked discussions about the balance between personal rights and public accountability, particularly given his criminal record. Despite being acquitted of two other rape charges, the court found him guilty of the two cases, along with numerous other offenses. His case highlights the complexities of legal appeals and the discretion exercised by judicial authorities in exceptional circumstances. The Norwegian public's reaction to these developments has varied, with some expressing concern over the leniency shown to Høiby, while others focus on honoring the late king's legacy. Memorial activities continue to reflect widespread respect for the deceased monarch, who played a central role in Norwegian history for nearly nine decades. Meanwhile, the royal family prepares for the formal assumption of power by King Haakon, who will take his constitutional oath on September 2.
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