Haakon crowned Norway's new king as family scandals surface
Haakon became Norway's monarch following King Harald's death, while his family faces renewed controversy over Epstein emails and a rape conviction.
Haakon, who struggled with royal expectations since his school days, was crowned Norway's king after King Harald died. He recounted in a 2023 memoir how he sought distance from the palace, studying at the University of California, Berkeley and finding solace in surfing. Returning to Norway, he married Mette-Marit, a former single mother and club-goer, a union initially criticized but later accepted by the royal family.
Recent revelations from the U.S. Justice Department showed email exchanges between Mette-Marit and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prompting a delayed public response. At the same time, Marius Borg Hoiby, Haakon's stepson, was found guilty of two rape counts and one domestic-violence charge, with both sides filing appeals. Despite these issues, Haakon expressed commitment to his role and to his family's well-being as he assumes the crown.
Why it matters
Norway's new king inherits the throne amid scandals that could affect public trust in the monarchy.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage foregrounds the royal scandals and falling popularity, center coverage highlights the king's personal reluctance and autobiography, while right-leaning coverage emphasizes his personal struggles and background alongside the scandals.
LEFT
Frames the coronation as occurring amid royal controversies, stressing the scandals involving the queen consort and stepson and the resulting dip in popularity
CENTER
Frames the story around the king's personal journey, noting his earlier desire to escape royal life and his reflections in his autobiography
RIGHT
Frames the coronation as a personal narrative of a king who struggled with expectations, married a former single mother, and faces family scandals
The left emphasises
- wife Mette-Marit’s earlier contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
- stepson Marius Borg Høiby’s four-year prison sentence for rape
- decline in royal popularity shown by poll numbers falling since 2017
The right emphasises
- Haakon struggled with royal expectations since school days
- married Mette-Marit, a former single mother and club-goer, a union initially criticized
- email exchanges between Mette-Marit and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
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