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Norway's King Harald dies aged 89
(www.bbc.com)
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this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2026
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Sorry. There is just something particularly vile about any human being claiming hereditary power over another, no matter how ceremonial. If I had it my way, I would make it a capital offense for the holder of any title of hereditary nobility to step foot on US territory. I don't care how well liked a king is or how well funded their PR department. You cannot be a good person while claiming the right from birth to rule over other human beings. It's a moral abomination.
Call me a militant anti-monarchist if you want. But I truly believe the only good king is a dead one.
The thing is
So when you make a comment saying that "they deserved it" about someone whose crime is being born into the spotlight, despite any good they may have done with that position, people are going to think you're an uninformed jerk.
There is some power, although due to it not having been exercised for a century. Lawyers argue the legal texts are no longer binding.
But they're ultimately the last entity that should block a party, if they turn full on authoritarian. All democracies need a non political entity, to overlook the democratic process and stop undemocratic moves.
Finland has a president for the same reason, and likewise does several other European nations.
You should also be against any kind of inheritance then, at least beyond a some threshold. Cause children of billionaires have a right from birth to rule over others.
Who says I'm not?
The Norwegian people elected to have their family as royals in 1905, and all three of them has truly been kings for the peoples. But there is a chance Håkon or Ingrid Alexandra will be the last regents, but better with a family the people get too know their whole lives than presidents, in my opinion. They don't have the power to fuck with the people as some presidents can.
Håkon was our first own king in 500 years, he was a collective unification point with his radioed speeches during the war. Olav, first Norwegian king named Olav not to be murdered. Known as the king of the people. Famous picture of him insisting to pay for a ticket on the tram to Holmenkollen but the conductor refusing to accept. Harald was the first Norwegian born king since 1370, a truly unifying force for the people after 22 July 2011 and his speech about Norwegians from 2015 or 16 is so good it will live in for generations. Håkon has had his fair share of issues with his stepson and the queen in the last few years, but no one doubts he will follow in the footsteps of his family to be a force for good for the county and they people.
But they are by constitution demanded to be Christian, something Harald wanted to be kept as we separated church and state in the late 00's. Not a fan of that.