King Haakon rushes Queen Mette-Marit to hospital hours after historic royal moment

Live updates

1. 12d ago

   King Haakon VIII Rushes Queen Mette-Marit to Hospital

   King Haakon VIII rushed Queen Mette-Marit to the hospital at the last minute, forcing her to miss his historic swearing-in ceremony before parliament following the death of King Harald V at age 89. The newly minted queen experienced a lung transplant setback that kept her from attending the oath of allegiance. Her absence comes during a stormy succession marked by intense scrutiny over her past correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein spanning three years. King Haakon swore his oath of allegiance with their 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, at his side as the nation mourned the late monarch.

   Why it matters

   The ascension of King Haakon VIII follows the death of King Harald V, who reigned as tradition and modernity collided in Norway. The royal family faces severe public scrutiny regarding the new queen's historical ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, the succession brings Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra into focus as the first queen-to-be in 600 years. The health crises surrounding Queen Mette-Marit add immediate instability to the monarchy during a vulnerable transition period.

   What is confirmed

   • Norway's King Harald V died at the age of 89, leading his son to become King Haakon VIII.
   • King Haakon VIII took his oath of allegiance before parliament with his daughter at his side.
   • Queen Mette-Marit pulled out of the swearing-in ceremony at the last minute due to a lung transplant setback and was rushed to the hospital.
   • Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra is 22 years old and the new heir to the throne.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Queen Mette-Marit corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein for three years.

   What to watch next

   • Official medical updates regarding Queen Mette-Marit's hospital stay and recovery.
   • Further statements from the palace addressing the succession and the queen's past Epstein links.
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. The Guardian — Norway’s King Harald dies leaving stormy succession over crown princess’s Epstein links
   2. The New York Times — Harald V, Norway’s King as Tradition and Modernity Collided, Dies at 89
   3. AP News — Norway’s King Harald V dies at 89 and his son becomes King Haakon VIII
   4. CNN — After King Harald V’s death, what comes next for Norway’s scandal-prone royals?
   5. Reuters — Mette-Marit, Norway's embattled new queen
   6. BBC — Norway's new king remembers 'my dear father' in first speech
   7. Al Jazeera — Norway’s new king pays tribute to his late father as the country mourns
   8. AP News — Norway's Queen Mette-Marit joins procession to bring late King Harald V's coffin to royal chapel
   9. Reuters — Norway's new king to swear oath before parliament after Harald's death
   10. The Daily Beast — Norwegian Royals’ Son Emerges From House Arrest to Mourn King
   11. dw.com — Norway's new King Haakon VIII takes oath in parliament
   12. People.com — Meet Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, Norway’s New Heir and First Queen-to-Be in 600 Years
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