The new Norwegian Order of Succession after King Harald’s death

The Norwegian royal family is currently in mourning following the death of King Harald, who was on the throne for 35 years before his death at the age of 89.

Harald has been succeeded by his son, King Haakon VIII, who has assumed the throne at the age of 53. His Queen Consort is Queen Mette-Marit, whose status has been shrouded in controversy over her links to Jeffrey Epstein and her son, Marius Borg Hoiby’s conviction for rape.

At the time that Haakon was born, Norway adopted a system of agnatic primogeniture, which prevented women from being in the line of succession. Although the country has operated under absolute primogeniture since 1990, this wasn’t applied retroactively, meaning that Haakon’s older sister, Princess Martha Louise is behind him and his children in the line of succession.

The current heir to the Norwegian throne is Crown Princess Ingrid, 22, and she is set to become the second-ever Queen Regent. Currently behind her in the line of succession is her younger brother, Prince Sverre. 

Haakon’s older sister, Martha Louise, is now third in line to the throne with her three daughters, Maud, Leah and Emma ranking as fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

If the country was still operating under agnatic primogeniture rules, then currently Sverre would be the sole person in line to the Norwegian throne.

King Harald’s death

The former Norwegian monarch died at the age of 89 on 28 August. In a statement, the Norwegian royal household said: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Rikshospitalet on Friday, August 28, at 06:35.

“He leaves behind his wife, Queen Sonja, 89, and children, Crown Prince Haakon, 53 and Princess Martha Louise, 54.”

Harald V reigned for 35 years, from 17 January 1991 until his death.

In the days before his death, Harald was admitted to hospital with haemolytic anaemia, which is when the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them with new blood. A statement from the Palace issued around the time said: “His Majesty the King’s health condition is extremely serious.”

The late royal shared a close bond with many of the European monarchs, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth was a second cousin to Harald and the pair shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, who were the father and mother of Norway’s own Queen Maud.