Norway is in mourning and has begun a new chapter in its history under King Haakon VIII, following the death of his father, King Harald, who passed away on Friday at the age of 89. A national period of mourning has been declared in the Scandinavian kingdom. Thousands of Norwegians gathered in Oslo to pay their respects, laying flowers and holding each other in the rain. King Harald was a unifying figure, known for his love for his people, humor, and warmth.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store acknowledged the end of an era and the beginning of a new one in a speech, stating, "An era has ended. A new one begins. The king is dead. Long live the king." Haakon, 53, now ascends to the throne of a monarchy praised for its modernity and modesty, though recently marred by scandals.
Haakon arrived at the royal palace with his daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, the new crown princess, to inform the government of his father's death. In a statement, Haakon expressed gratitude to the government and the Norwegian people for their support and sympathy. Norway's parliament announced that the new monarch will take an oath of allegiance in its main chamber on Tuesday.
The period of national mourning will continue until King Harald's funeral, the date of which is yet to be determined. Haakon is not expected to be crowned, as the practice was abolished in 1908. However, he may choose to have his reign blessed during a ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral, a tradition followed by his father and grandfather.
King Harald, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, had been hospitalized since August 17 due to haemolytic anaemia. Prime Minister Store described him as "a king of his time and for his time," highlighting his role in guiding Norway through decades of change. Thousands of Norwegians paid tribute outside the palace, laying flowers, cards, and national flags.
Harald was widely regarded as the embodiment of an open and tolerant Norway. His speech after the 2011 massacre by neo-Nazi Anders Behring Breivik, which killed 77 people, was particularly remembered for its unifying message. Tributes poured in from European monarchies and world leaders, including Donald Trump, who praised Harald as "a strong, proud, and greatly respected man."
The past year has been turbulent for the Norwegian royal family. Queen Sonja, Harald's wife, was briefly hospitalized due to heart problems. Haakon's wife, Mette-Marit, faced scrutiny for her ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was sentenced to four years in prison for two rapes. Mette-Marit, who suffers from a serious lung disease, underwent a lung transplant in July.
