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, has sworn an oath before parliament in Oslo, marking the beginning of his reign following the death of his father, King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, saw Haakon stand alongside his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, as they addressed lawmakers and reaffirmed their commitment to governing Norway in accordance with its constitution. The event followed a period of public scrutiny surrounding the royal family, particularly concerning Queen Mette-Marit and her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who was recently convicted of two rapes and is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest. Marius Borg Høiby, born to Mette-Marit before her marriage to King Haakon, was granted temporary release from house arrest to attend the transfer of King Harald’s coffin through the royal palace to the palace chapel on Monday. Authorities permitted him to participate in the funeral arrangements, though he did not attend the parliamentary oath-taking ceremony. His mother, Queen Mette-Marit, joined the procession but remained absent from the parliamentary session due to ongoing recovery from a lung transplant performed in June. She has been largely out of the public eye since the procedure, having been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The royal family has faced controversy in recent years, notably due to Mette-Marit’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Earlier this year, she publicly apologized for her friendship with Epstein, stating she had been “manipulated” by the individual and was unaware of his criminal activities. The friendship came to light through the release of the Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice. King Harald, who ruled Norway from 1991 until his death, had been hospitalized since mid-August with haemolytic anaemia, a condition causing the rapid breakdown of red blood cells. His declining health led to a reduction in his public engagements. Despite these challenges, Norwegians expressed deep respect for the late monarch, gathering outside the royal palace to lay flowers, write messages, and light candles in tribute. Tens of thousands attended memorial services nationwide, reflecting widespread mourning. The new king, Haakon, emphasized his intention to maintain the “good relationship” with political leaders that characterized his father’s reign. During the oath-taking, he declared, “I promise and swear to rule the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws, so help me God the Almighty and All-knowing.” The ceremony underscored the constitutional role of the monarchy in Norway, where the Storting, or parliament, holds primary authority. Unlike other European nations, the Norwegian royal family was selected by a parliamentary committee and approved by a national referendum in 1905. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, returned to Norway from her studies at the University of Sydney, where she pursued a degree in international relations and political economy. While she temporarily left her academic pursuits to accompany her mother during her medical treatment, she continues her studies at the University of Oslo on an exchange program. She is set to become the next heir to the throne. The funeral of King Harald is scheduled for September 9, with plans to invite world leaders to honor the late monarch. Meanwhile, public support for the monarchy appears to have increased, according to a recent poll conducted by Norway’s public broadcaster NRK. The survey showed 72% of respondents backed the monarchy, up from 54% in May and 60% in February, when the royal family was embroiled in multiple scandals.
Go to the primary sources (1)
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
The article reports that Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's new queen Mette-Marit, has been permitted to leave house arrest to attend the funeral of the late King Harald V. Høiby was convicted of two rapes and 32 other charges, including violent behavior toward a former partner, but was acquitted of two additional rape charges. He is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest. Norwegian authorities approved his release for the funeral, which takes place on September 9, 2026. His mother, Queen Mette-Marit, has faced scrutiny due to her past association with Jeffrey Epstein and her own health issues, including a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis. The nation mourns King Harald V, who passed away at 89, with widespread public tributes.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation neutrally, focusing on the legal status of Marius Borg Høiby and the broader implications for the Norwegian monarchy. It does not overtly criticize or praise either side of the issue, nor does it emphasize any particular ideological stance. The framing remains fact
Why factuality (80): This article provides detailed information about Marius Borg Høiby's release from house arrest and his participation in the funeral arrangements. It includes quotes from Norwegian police prosecutors and specific legal details about Høiby's convictions and appeals. The facts align with the other arti
Why objectivity (60): The article focuses more on the controversy surrounding Høiby and his legal situation, using terms like 'disgraced son' and 'rape conviction.' While informative, it frames the story around the legal and ethical issues, potentially giving more weight to the scandal than the coronation itself.
The AgeIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 659/2/2026
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
Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the coronation of King Haakon VIII and mentions the public support for the monarchy. It provides details about the ceremony, the presence of Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and the ongoing scandals involving Queen Mette-Marit and her son Marius Borg Høiby. However, it
Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat sympathetic to the monarchy, particularly highlighting the 'scandal-hit' aspect but also noting the rising public support. The article presents information without overt bias but uses emotionally charged language like 'scandal-hit' and 'public concerns,' which may influence read
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
Why factuality (75): Similar to Article 0, this article covers the coronation of King Haakon VIII and the public support for the monarchy. It discusses the scandals involving Queen Mette-Marit and Marius Borg Høiby, including his release from house arrest and participation in the funeral preparations. However, it lacks
Why objectivity (65): The tone is similar to Article 0, presenting the monarchy's situation with a mix of admiration for the public support and concern over the scandals. The language used to describe the royal family's challenges is somewhat empathetic, which may subtly favor the monarchy's perspective.
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.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
progressive
center
conservative
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.
Australia
