Norway’s new king is a UC Berkeley alum who once sought refuge in California

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported that Norway's new king, Haakon, is a UC Berkeley alum who once sought refuge in California. The Times and SURFER Magazine later added that Haakon had previously expressed a desire to pursue a career in professional surfing. The Telegraph and People.com have focused on the royal family's past controversies, including links to Jeffrey Epstein and a rape conviction. The Times has also explored the challenges Haakon may face as he ascends to the throne amid turmoil within the royal family.

The Telegraph and Reuters have emphasized the controversies surrounding Haakon's wife, Queen Mette-Marit. The Telegraph has detailed the Epstein links and a rape conviction that cast a shadow over the new royal family. Reuters has described Mette-Marit as an embattled new queen, though coverage does not yet specify the nature of the embattlement. The Times has also raised questions about how Haakon will navigate the current turmoil within the royal family.

The Times has contrasted Haakon's background with the broader chaos within the Norwegian royal family, portraying him as a more pristine figure. The Telegraph has taken a more critical stance, focusing on the controversies that surround the new royal family. The current state of affairs presents a complex picture of a new king with a unique background and a family entangled in significant controversies.