In the wake of the passing of Europe's oldest reigning monarch, King Harald V, his 53-year-old son has officially taken the throne as King Haakon VIII of Norway. King Harald died peacefully at the age of 89 due to hemolytic anemia at the Oslo University Hospital on August 28, 2026.

Tens of thousands of citizens gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to lay flowers and light candles, entering a period of profound national mourning for a beloved ruler who advocated for inclusion throughout his 35-year reign.

Under Norway's constitutional monarchy, the crown was transferred immediately upon King Harald's death. King Haakon VIII, accompanied by his 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, formally informed the government during an extraordinary Council of State.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre delivered a public address stating that "an era has ended," commending the late king's warmth, humor, and unifying presence. The mourning even resulted in logistical disruptions, such as Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe postponing her planned wedding.

Tributes flooded in from royal families and political leaders worldwide. Britain's King Charles III expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his cousin, while the monarchs of Sweden and Denmark issued statements honoring Harald’s remarkable life and sharp wit.

King Haakon VIII now leads a predominantly symbolic royal household that remains widely popular but is under increasing public scrutiny due to recent family controversies.

In June 2026, Marius Borg Høiby—the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship—was sentenced to four years in prison following a high-profile trial involving rape and domestic violence.

Queen Mette-Marit has faced significant media scrutiny regarding her past connections to Jeffrey Epstein, for which she has previously expressed regret.

The incoming queen is also contending with a chronic lung condition, having undergone a lung transplant just a month earlier in July 2026.

The football that Diego Maradona used to score his iconic 'hand of God' goal during the 1986 World Cup has been auctioned for £2.5m.

Maradona infamously punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton in Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-finals. Following the match, he remarked to reporters that the goal was scored "partly with the head of Maradona and partly with the hand of God".

In the same match, Maradona also netted what is referred to as the 'goal of the century', skillfully dribbling past five England players before placing the ball past Shilton. Although it was sold for $3.3m (£2.5m) at Heritage Auctions in the United States on Saturday, the ball was anticipated to reach a price closer to $10m (£7.3m). Prior to the auction, Mike Provenzale, an auction specialist at Heritage, stated: "It's a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists."

Ali Bin Nasser, the Tunisian referee who officiated the 1986 match, retrieved the Adidas Azteca ball at the end of the game and preserved it for over thirty years. In 2023, he provided a signed letter confirming it was the sole ball used during the match, a fact that has been further validated by independent authentication.

Bin Nasser sold the ball in 2022 for $2.37m (£1.74m). Its new owner attempted to auction it again in 2023, but it did not sell as the bids fell short of the minimum value established.

The shirt that Maradona wore during the same match was auctioned for £7.1m in 2022.

A judge from the UK High Court has mandated that Prince Harry and six other prominent claimants pay an interim sum of £9.54 million ($13 million) to Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).

This directive comes in the wake of their unsuccessful lawsuit concerning privacy and unlawful information-gathering against the publisher of the Daily Mail.

The interim payment for legal fees is required to be settled within seven days, specifically by August 28, 2026.

On the Ruling After an 11-week trial, Judge Matthew Nicklin rejected the claims on July 7, 2026, indicating that the claimants did not substantiate their allegations.

The group accused the Daily Mail of significant privacy infringements, which included eavesdropping on homes and vehicles, wiretapping phone calls, and unlawfully accessing medical and financial records. ANL has consistently refuted all allegations.

The Seven Claimants consist of Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and Sir Simon Hughes.

While the immediate order stipulates a payment of £9.54 million, the overall financial liability for the group could be considerably greater.

ANL disclosed expenditures nearing £34.5 million to defend itself.

The judge determined that the publisher's costs would be evaluated on an "indemnity" basis rather than the standard approach. This indicates that the court deemed the claimants' actions to be "unreasonably high" for pursuing broad, serious criminal allegations without sufficient evidential support.

Although the claimants possess insurance that covers up to £16.2 million in legal fees, the judge's refusal to limit recoverable costs renders the group personally accountable for a potential shortfall of up to £18 million.

The claimants have until October 2, 2026, to file an appeal against the court's rulings.

Prince Harry and his fellow claimants conveyed their deep disappointment, characterizing the High Court ruling as a "complete and obvious whitewash," while the Daily Mail publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), hailed the decision as a significant victory and total vindication.

Legal experts observed that the ruling represented a significant setback for Prince Harry, as the lawsuit was integral to his ongoing effort to instigate systemic changes within the British tabloid media.