2 DECEMBER 2003
With his first-born child on the way in January, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway surely anticipated a number of significant changes in life as a new dad. But now, stepping into the post of regent due to his father King Harald's sudden illness, the 30-year-old royal has had to adapt quickly to a very different public role.

A planned paternity leave coinciding with the birth of the baby – wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit is due on January 22 – has been put on hold, reports Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten. The prince has taken on a full calendar ranging from holding cabinet meetings to hosting official events, including an upcoming reception for war veterans at the royal palace alongside his mother Queen Sonja. In addition, Prince Haakon will deliver the royal address at New Year's for the first time.

"The crown prince will carry out the king's duties in a distinguished fashion," former Prime Minister Kaare Willoch told the newspaper, adding: "He is very well prepared."

Meanwhile, King Haakon's daughter Princess Martha Louise and Ari Behn had been slated to move, along with their baby daughter Maud, to New York in February. At this time, there has been no word as to whether their plans have changed due to the monarch's upcoming cancer treatment, set to begin on December 8.