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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jan M. Olsen and Stefanie Dazio

Who is King Haakon VIII? What to know about Norway’s new monarch

Haakon VIII Norway
  • Crown Prince Haakon has acceded to the Norwegian throne as King Haakon VIII following the death of his father, King Harald V.
  • The new monarch dreamed of owning a toy shop as a child; he studied political science at Berkeley and holds a master's in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
  • He is an enthusiastic surfer, skier, and sportsman and enjoys rap music and playing the guitar.
  • Haakon married commoner Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in August 2001 and they have two children: 22-year-old Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (the new heir to the throne) and 20-year-old Crown Prince Sverre Magnus.
  • The king is also the stepfather to Mette-Marit’s son, 29-year-old Marius Borg Høiby, who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence after being found guilty of rape.

IN FULL

King Haakon VIII: The surfing, guitar-playing royal acceding to Norway’s throne

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The Independent UK
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