World · 28 August 2026

King Haakon VIII takes Norway's throne after father Harald V dies

Sámediggi Sametinget via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

King Harald V of Norway died peacefully in hospital at 89 on Friday morning, after being treated for a rare blood condition. His son, Haakon VIII, immediately became the new monarch, the fourth king since Norway's modern monarchy was restored in 1905. King Haakon is scheduled to convene an extraordinary council of state alongside government ministers later today.

By BriefTea Editorial · 28 August 2026 at 16:44

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

When did Norway get a king? What is a Council of State? What is a 'rare blood condition'?

More briefs

WorldMore Than 300,000 Irish Public Sector Workers Strike for 24 Hours WorldMauritius Imposes Overnight Curfew After Worst Riots in Decades WorldTurkish Police Raid Opposition Broadcaster Halk TV WorldRussell Brand Goes on Trial Over Rape and Sexual Assault Charges WorldUkraine accuses SpaceX of restricting internet for its fast-moving military drones WorldUkraine: Starlink speed cap is disrupting critical drone missions More world stories → Browse all stories →