King Haakon VIII of Norway today dedicated his first address as monarch to his father, Harald V, who died on Friday at the age of 89, recalling him as an affectionate father and a dedicated monarch.
© Lusa
29/08/2026
by
Lusa
“ ANDwe're in mourning. At the same time, it is comforting and gives us strength to know that so many share this mourning with us,” said the new King of Norway, dressed in black, in a speech broadcast live on public television NRK.
After the death of Harald V on Friday morning, the then Crown Prince immediately became King Haakon VIII.
The new monarch thanked the numerous manifestations of affection and recalled the affectionate father and husband Harald V had been.
Tens of thousands of people paid tribute to the late monarch, leaving flowers and condolence cards at the Royal Palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived on Friday night from the hospital.
Throughout the country, churches and city chambers have opened the doors especially so that people can light candles and leave messages in condolence books.
“ It was an intense and moving experience to see the Palace Square full of people, flowers, messages of condolences and candles. Thank you very much”, said Haakon VIII, 53, sitting next to a wooden desk, next to a portrait of his father and two white candles.
“ As King, my father represented Norway and the Norwegian people with pride and joy, in the visits throughout the country, in the events here at the Royal Palace and in the work he has done representing Norway around the world,” Haakon said.
“ I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss your laugh. In the kind way he dealt with people and situations”, he added, containing tears, before promising to give everything for the country as a new King.
“ And that ultimately means being willing to risk everything, even life itself, for Norway’s freedom and independence,” he added.
Haakon VIII adopted the motto “Everything for Norway”, which goes back to his great-grandfather. His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, while his eldest daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, became the heir princess and first in line for the throne.
Today, the new monarch and the heir princess Ingrid Alexandra received in the palace the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, and the president bishop of the Church of Norway, at the location where the coffin of Harald V was located, informed the Royal Palace in a statement.
On Sunday morning, the Church of Norway will hold ceremonies in memory of the monarch throughout the country. The royal family should participate in the celebration in Asker Church, southwest of Oslo, also indicated the Royal Palace.
A date for the funeral has not yet been set, but the country is officially mourning and some people have decided to postpone celebrations, such as weddings and baptisms, until the end of the mourning period, according to the Norwegian public station NRK.
The Norwegian monarchy has ancient roots, dating back to King Harald Beautiful Hair in the 9th century. When Norway regained independence from Sweden in 1905, three quarters of the voters approved, in a national plebiscite, the restoration of the monarchy.
Today, the monarch's role is above all symbolic, since political power belongs to an elected parliament. Still, the royal family continues to have great public projection and plays a role in the international promotion of the country.