He became so unpopular that Edward was invited to return from exile in Normandy to be recognised as Harthacnut's heir, and when Harthacnut died suddenly in 1042 (probably murdered), Edward (known to posterity as Edward the Confessor) became king.
Ta muutus nii ebapopulaarseks, et Edward kutsuti maapaost Normandias tagasi Hardeknudi pärijaks, ja kui Hardeknud aastal 1042 äkitselt suri (ilmselt mõrvati), sai Edward (järelpõlvedele tuntud kui Edward Usutunnistaja) kuningaks.