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Eco · Climate policy · published 2026-08-28 · via The Guardian

Norwegian monarch's death triggers succession dispute over Epstein correspondence

Image via The Guardian
Image via The Guardian

King Harald V of Norway passed away at 89 in an Oslo hospital, prompting Crown Prince Haakon to ascend the throne. Haakon's wife, Mette-Marit, had exchanged letters with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, fueling recent controversy. The palace confirmed the king died peacefully on the morning of August 28.

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Harald had been hospitalized since August 17 with haemolytic anaemia, a condition involving abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells. His health had declined over many years, including bladder cancer surgery in 2003 and a pacemaker fitted in 2024. Despite these setbacks, he consistently refused to abdicate, citing his lifelong oath before the Norwegian parliament.

The succession unfolds amid significant controversy. Documents released in January revealed Mette-Marit's correspondence with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, drawing

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