King Haakon VIII addresses Norway following the death of King Harald V at 89
King Haakon VIII delivered his first address to the Norwegian public on Saturday following the death of his father, King Harald V, who died on Friday at age 89 after a 35-year reign.
King Haakon VIII addressed Norway on Saturday in his first televised speech from the Royal Palace in Oslo following the death of his father, King Harald V. Harald died on Friday morning at the age of 89 after suffering from haemolytic anaemia, concluding a 35-year reign that began in 1991. Haakon, aged 53, reflected on his father's public dedication and personal warmth, thanking him for being a devoted parent to him and his sister Princess Märtha Louise. The king noted that his father had always reminded his family to follow their own path, stating that it was now his turn to lead. Haakon also acknowledged that Saturday coincided with what would have been the 58th wedding anniversary of King Harald and Queen Sonja.
The new monarch spoke directly about the widespread public support during his national broadcast.
We greatly mourn his loss. At the same time, it gives us consolation and strength to know that there are so many who are grieving with us.
Public mourning at Slottsplassen
Thousands of mourners congregated throughout the weekend at Slottsplassen, the public square situated in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo. More than 20,000 people laid flowers, lit candles, and left condolence messages on Friday alone, creating an expanding carpet of tributes around the central equestrian statue. Palace gardeners cleared selected pathways along the south side of the grounds to ensure safe pedestrian access, while staff gathered wet condolence letters to dry and preserve them following an overnight rainstorm. Mourners on the square included longtime Oslo residents as well as artist Sonya Lii Nome Barlow, who performed a song honoring Harald's advocacy for queer rights. Across the country, citizens signed condolence books in city halls and postponed private celebrations as the government instituted a national mourning period.
State meetings and constitutional transition
Before delivering his speech, King Haakon VIII held state audiences at the Royal Palace on Saturday. The monarch met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the speaker of the Storting, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church of Norway. The new heir to the throne, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, attended these meetings alongside her father, while Støre viewed the late king's casket. Because the Norwegian parliament abolished traditional royal coronations in 1908, Haakon succeeded to the throne automatically, though he may opt for a consecration at Trondheim Cathedral. Adopting the royal motto "All for Norway", Haakon is scheduled to appear before parliament on Tuesday to swear a formal oath upholding the constitution.
- King Harald V dies at Oslo University Hospital at the age of 89.
- The late monarch's casket is transferred to the Royal Palace in Oslo.
- King Haakon VIII holds state audiences and delivers his first televised address.
- The Church of Norway conducts memorial services across the country.
- King Haakon VIII is scheduled to swear a constitutional oath before parliament.
The life and lineage of Harald V
King Harald was born at Skaugum in Asker on 21 February 1937, making him the first Norwegian prince born on domestic soil in 567 years. A great-grandson of King Edward VII of Britain and a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, he spent World War II in Washington DC following the German invasion of April 1940. Returning to Oslo in May 1945, Harald attended Smestad School, completed 16 months at the Cadet College for Cavalry Officers, and studied at Balliol College, Oxford. An avid sailor, he represented Norway in yachting at the 1968 Olympic Games. In August 1968, he married Sonja Haraldsen after a nine-year courtship, overcoming constitutional debates over royal marriage to a commoner. Harald's casket was transferred from Oslo University Hospital to the palace on Friday evening.
