Norway’s royal family has entered a new era following the death of King Harald V on August 28, 2026, at age 89. After more than three decades on the throne, Harald was succeeded by his only son, Haakon, who is now King Haakon VIII of Norway.
King Harald and Queen Sonja had two children: Princess Märtha Louise and Haakon. Their different roles within the Norwegian royal family have shaped the monarchy across several generations.
King Haakon VIII Becomes Norway’s New Monarch
Haakon, born in 1973, is King Harald and Queen Sonja’s younger child and only son. He became heir to the throne despite having an older sister because Norway’s succession rules at the time favored male heirs.
Haakon married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in 2001. Following his accession to the throne, she became Queen Consort of Norway.
Haakon has long carried out official duties on behalf of his father, particularly during periods when Harald faced health problems. He also has a background in military service and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and the London School of Economics.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra Is Now the Heir
King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit have two children: Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
Following Harald’s death and Haakon’s accession, Ingrid Alexandra, 22, became Norway’s Crown Princess and the next person in line for the throne.
Her position also represents an important change in Norway’s monarchy. The country adopted absolute primogeniture in 1990, meaning the eldest child inherits regardless of gender. If Ingrid Alexandra eventually becomes queen, she would be Norway’s first female monarch in more than 600 years.
Prince Sverre Magnus
Prince Sverre Magnus, born in 2005, is Haakon and Mette-Marit’s younger child.
He is currently third in line to the Norwegian throne, behind his sister. Sverre has generally maintained a lower public profile than Ingrid Alexandra and has taken part in fewer official royal engagements.
In August 2026, the Royal House announced that he would study at Forward College in Lisbon.
Princess Märtha Louise
Princess Märtha Louise, born in 1971, is King Harald and Queen Sonja’s eldest child.
She stepped away from official royal duties in 2022 and has focused on commercial and personal projects. She was previously married to writer Ari Behn, with whom she had three daughters.
