King Haakon VIII takes the throne in Norway following death of Harald V
King Haakon VIII has ascended to the Norwegian throne following the death of his father, King Harald V, who reigned for 35 years. The transition comes amid a period of mourning and public interest in the new Queen, Mette-Marit, and the royal family's recent controversies.
Why it matters
The death of a long-serving monarch and the subsequent transition of power is a major historical and cultural event for Norway and the European constitutional monarchies.
King Haakon VIII has taken the throne in Norway following the death of his father, Harald V.
Harald, who was on the throne for 35 years, died early on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo where he was being treated for a rare blood condition.
The Norwegian PM says "a whole nation is in mourning" following his death - Oslo's mayor says she has cancelled her wedding, which was scheduled for today.
The late king was a popular leader and is credited with modernising the Norwegian monarchy - he broke with tradition by marrying a commoner, Queen Sonja.
Flowers are being laid at a memorial near the palace, and the UK's King Charles III shares his "most heartfelt condolences"
King Haakon has met with government ministers at the Royal Palace in the capital.
He has opted to keep the family's long-standing royal motto: "All for Norway"
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