Mourning, duty and unity were at the heart of his first address

Norway’s new King Haakon VIII said he would give everything he could to the country as king in his first live address, delivered a day after the death of his father, King Harald. The speech on Saturday marked one of the first major symbolic steps in the national mourning period declared in Norway.

Haakon said his father had represented Norway with pride both on domestic visits and in international engagements. In his remarks, he also said his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, and his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, were by his side during this period, while voicing support for democracy, the rule of law and a society in which everyone has equal value.

The transition following King Harald's death

King Harald died on Friday at the age of 89. Harald, who spent 35 years on Norway’s throne, was said to have suffered from hemolytic anemia, a condition that can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.

Tributes outside the palace in Oslo as the country prepares to mourn

Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo to pay tribute to Harald. As the palace square filled with flowers, condolence messages and candles, Haakon thanked the public for their support.

Not only in the capital but also in different parts of the country, condolence books were opened at churches and municipal buildings, and citizens joined the tributes by lighting candles. The Norwegian government declared a period of national mourning that will end after the funeral; the funeral date has not yet been announced.

  • The Church of Norway will hold nationwide memorial services on Sunday.
  • Condolence books have been opened to visitors at public buildings and places of worship.

The new king's schedule and a sensitive public debate

Haakon is expected to take the oath on Tuesday in front of parliament, pledging to uphold the Norwegian constitution and laws. The step is seen as one of the key formal milestones in completing the accession process.

Public debate shadows the accession

The new king's assumption of duties comes at a time when some controversies surrounding the royal household continue. These include public discussion of Queen Mette-Marit’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the four-year prison sentence handed in June to Haakon’s stepson Marius Borg Hoiby for rape, domestic violence and other offenses.