Norway's crown prince becomes King Haakon VIII after his father's death

Norway has a new king following the death of Harald V on Friday, Report informs via The Independent.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has acceded to the throne as King Haakon VIII.

The new monarch faces the immediate task of strengthening public support for the monarchy following a scandal regarding his wife's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the rape conviction of his stepson.

King Haakon's eldest child, 22-year-old Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now assumes the position of heir to the throne.