NEW KING. Norway's then Crown Prince Haakon reacts as Norway wins in the cross-country skiing event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Kacper Pempel/REUTERS
Over the years, Haakon grew into his role, becoming Crown Prince in 1991 and taking on more royal duties as his father's health failed. But it was a long and sometimes difficult adjustment.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway struggled with his royal identity during his childhood, preferring to stay out of the spotlight and choosing to study at the University of California, Berkeley, to distance himself from royal expectations.
He married Mette-Marit in 2001, who helped him come out of his shell, but their family faced scandals, including Mette-Marit's connection to Jeffrey Epstein and her son Marius' legal troubles.
