In recent times, Haakon’s family has faced mounting public scrutiny and criticism.
The rape conviction of Marius Borg Høiby has cast a shadow over the family. One of the victims was assaulted on Haakon’s estate at Skaugum, just outside Oslo.
Although Høiby has long been considered part of the family, the palace has repeatedly clarified that he is not a member of the royal family.
Just before the trial began, documents emerged revealing Mette-Marit’s repeated contact with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
She later expressed remorse to King Harald and Queen Sonja for her three-year friendship with Epstein, acknowledging a lapse in judgment and, in a national television interview, stating that she wished she had never met him.
Several polls conducted earlier this year indicated that nearly half of the Norwegian public believed the Crown Princess should not become queen, despite the established succession plan.
Two days after her son’s trial concluded, Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant, eight years after her original diagnosis.
Her medical team will not deem her condition stable until a year post‑transplant, and the new monarch will confront a challenging succession period while continuing to support her.
Caroline Vagle, a royal correspondent for Se og Hør magazine, emphasizes that, regarding the Epstein matter, the royal family’s best course is to be “entirely transparent about what transpired, preventing speculation from taking on a life of its own.”
“Nevertheless, we should not overestimate the impact of one or two challenging cases,” she added.
“Ultimately, what matters is how the royal family addresses these issues, and how Haakon and the next generation build upon the trust that Harald has cultivated over a lifetime.”
Tove Taalesen, a royal correspondent for Nettavisen, acknowledges that the scandals will be challenging, yet asserts that Haakon is “well prepared for the task.”
“I am confident that he will be respected and beloved in the future, much like King Haakon VII, King Olav V, and King Harald V.”
Haakon’s reign begins amid these controversies, and how he navigates them may well define his monarchy.
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