Crown Prince Haakon becomes regent amid King Harald’s illness

As King Harald remains in the hospital, Crown Prince Haakon takes on a larger royal role while marking 25 years of marriage with Mette-Marit.

Norway’s Haakon Takes the Reins as King Harald’s Health Worsens

AUGUST 26, 2026 4:34 PM EDTAUG 26, 2026, 4:34 PM EDT

Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon has stepped in as regent as King Harald remains hospitalized, placing the heir to the throne at the center of royal duties during a difficult moment for the family. Haakon has served as regent since August 17, when his father was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Crown Prince Haakon greets the crowd from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo as he takes on his duties as regent.

His new responsibilities were on full display at the Royal Palace in Oslo, where Haakon presided over a military ceremony and greeted the crowd from the palace balcony as the Royal Guard and its band performed below. The appearance came at an especially personal time for the crown prince, just after he and Crown Princess Mette-Marit marked their 25th wedding anniversary.

Crown Prince Haakon Steps In as Regent of Norway

Haakon assumed his duties as regent as concern grew over King Harald’s health. While Queen Sonja remained at her husband’s bedside, the crown prince was called upon to preside over one of the monarchy’s most symbolic annual events.

Crown Prince Haakon watches the Royal Guard and its marching band perform outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.

The ceremony had been postponed after the Royal House announced that the king was suffering from a bloodstream infection that had worsened his overall condition. With Harald unable to attend, Haakon stepped in for his father at an especially sensitive moment for the royal family.

At the Royal Palace, the crown prince watched the Royal Guard and its marching band parade before him, carrying on a tradition that King Harald and Queen Sonja had been expected to oversee.

King Harald Remains in the Hospital as Haakon Takes on Royal Duties

The occasion took on added significance as the performance was dedicated to the king. Once the ceremony ended, Haakon went directly to Oslo University Hospital to visit his father, who remains under medical care. The Royal House has not released further details about his illness.

King Harald of Norway remains hospitalized as Crown Prince Haakon takes over his duties as regent.

In its latest update on Monday, the palace said there had been no significant change in the king’s condition. He remained stable following the deterioration reported the previous day.

The timing has made an already difficult period particularly bittersweet for Haakon and his family. Just one day earlier, he and Mette-Marit had celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Any elaborate royal celebrations were set aside as the couple went to the hospital to be with King Harald.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway sit in a car as they leave the Rikshospitalet hospital, where King Harald V of Norway is hospitalized, on August 25, 2026.

Haakon and Mette-Marit Mark 25 Years of Marriage

Still, Haakon and Mette-Marit chose not to let the milestone pass entirely unnoticed. To mark their anniversary with the Norwegian public, they released a series of previously unseen photographs of themselves sharing an impromptu dance in the palace gardens.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have marked their silver wedding anniversary with this new official portrait.

The candid images offered a rare glimpse of the couple away from the formality of royal life. After 25 years of marriage, their easy affection was unmistakable. At a time when the family is facing uncertainty and public attention remains fixed on King Harald’s health, the photographs captured something quieter and more personal: Haakon and Mette-Marit simply enjoying a moment together.