Norwegians gathered at churches and cathedrals across the country on Sunday to mourn King Harald V, who died aged 89. Memorial services were held as the nation entered a period of mourning, with many people also leaving flowers, cards and candles outside the royal palace in Oslo.
The coffin arrived at the palace late on Friday after being brought from hospital. Since the king’s death that morning, tens of thousands of people have expressed their grief there. Some Norwegians have chosen to postpone celebrations, including weddings and baptisms, until the mourning period ends.
Memorial services held across Norway
In Oslo Cathedral, Dean Pal Kristian Balstad opened the funeral service by describing the personal loss suffered by the royal family.
“This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost their spouse, father, grandfather, father-in-law,”
The royal family attended a separate service at Asker Church, south-west of Oslo. A date for the funeral had not been set.
The services took place as people across Norway continued to pay tribute to a monarch whose public role was largely symbolic, but whose family remained well known nationally and internationally.
Haakon becomes Norway’s new king
Harald’s son became King Haakon VIII and delivered his first speech as monarch on Saturday night. In a televised eulogy, he spoke about the death of his father and promised to serve Norway with the same commitment.
“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,”
Holding back tears, Haakon said he would give everything for the country. He said that responsibility ultimately meant being prepared to risk everything, including his life, for Norway’s freedom and independence.
“That means — in the ultimate sense — being willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence,”
The new king adopted the motto “All for Norway”, a phrase dating from the reign of his great-grandfather. His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, while his oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir to the throne.
Challenges ahead for the monarchy
One of Haakon’s immediate tasks will be to maintain support for the monarchy amid controversies involving his wife’s past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, a deceased sex offender, and the rape conviction of his stepson.
Norway’s monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. The country restored its monarchy after regaining independence from Sweden in 1905, when three-quarters of voters approved the move in a national plebiscite.
Today, political power rests with an elected parliament. The royal family nevertheless retains a prominent public profile and a role in promoting Norway internationally.
