Crown Prince Haakon becomes Norway’s king on Friday following the death of his father, King Harald V. At 53, Haakon is the only son of Harald and is expected to take on the role of monarch in what is described as a largely ceremonial and symbolic position.
Both outlets outline Haakon’s background and path to the throne. The South China Morning Post describes his early life in Norway’s egalitarian setting, including state primary schooling and later private secondary education. It also notes that he joins the navy before studying politics at the University of California, Berkeley, and later pursuing development studies at the London School of Economics. The New York Times focuses more on the nature of the monarchy itself, emphasizing that the king’s role is primarily symbolic rather than executive.
While the sources differ in emphasis—one detailing personal biography and education, the other highlighting the constitutional character of the office—they agree on the succession: Harald’s death leads to Haakon’s accession as Norway’s new monarch.
