Tens of thousands of mourners gathered outside Oslo’s royal palace to pay their respects to Norway’s King Harald V, who died at the age of 89. The monarch’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief across the country, with people leaving flowers and tributes outside the palace.
A sea of colorful flowers covered Slottsplassen, the square in front of the palace, as a steady stream of Norwegians filed past. Palace workers collected cards and dried them to preserve the mourners’ messages for posterity.
King Harald V died on Friday morning, and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, became King Haakon VIII. Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, also took on new roles within the royal family.
Haakon is well acquainted with his royal obligations, having stepped in as the country’s regent on several occasions as his father’s health declined. He has adopted the motto “All for Norway,” which dates back to his great-grandfather.
Across the country, churches and city halls opened specially on Saturday so people could light candles and write down their thoughts about the deceased king in condolence books.
As Norway enters a new royal era, King Haakon VIII is expected to address the people of Norway in his first speech as king either later Saturday or in the coming days. His tasks in the near future will include shoring up support for the monarchy following controversies over his wife’s past contacts with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson’s rape conviction.
The new king will also hold audiences with the speaker of Norway’s parliament, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church of Norway, with Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra also expected to attend.
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A date for the funeral has not been set, but the country is officially in a state of mourning, and some people have decided to postpone celebrations such as weddings and baptisms until after the mourning period has passed.
Norway’s monarchy has old roots, tracing its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.
Today, the role of the monarchy is largely symbolic, as power lies with an elected parliament, but the country’s royal family retains celebrity and a role in promoting the wealthy nation around the world. Norway’s monarchy continues to play an important part in the country’s identity and culture, with the royal family serving as a symbol of national unity.
As the country mourns the loss of King Harald V, it is also looking to the future and the new royal era under King Haakon VIII. The new king’s speech and audiences with key figures will be closely watched as he begins his reign.
Roni Ervik, a 46-year-old Norwegian, paid his respects to the late king, saying, “It’s special, intimate, and lovely. I’m placing my right hand on my chest in gratitude to him and the royal family.”
King Haakon VIII’s first speech as king will be significant.
