Norway’s King Haakon VIII pays tribute to late father in first speech

**Norway’s New King Haakon VIII Addresses Nation After Death of King Harald V**

*Oslo, 30 August 2026* – King Haakon VIII delivered his first public address on Saturday, the day after the death of his father, King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89. In a televised speech from the Royal Palace, the 53‑year‑old monarch paid tribute to the late king and outlined the nation’s mourning.

Haakon described his father as “a person who remained committed to your values and dedicated to your duties.” He said it had been “deeply moving to see all the people, candles, messages and flowers filling up the Palace Square.” “We greatly mourn his loss. At the same time, it gives us consolation and strength to know that there are so many who are grieving with us,” he added.

The new king also noted that King Harald V and Queen Sonja would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on Saturday, offering a personal greeting: “Happy anniversary, dearest mamma,” he said, visibly emotional.

**Public mourning**

Flags were lowered to half‑mast across Norway on Saturday. More than 20,000 people visited the palace on Friday to pay their respects, and crowds continued to add flowers on Saturday. City halls in several municipalities opened condolence books for public messages.

Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who had postponed her own wedding after the king’s death, was the first to sign the book at Oslo City Hall, writing: “Dear King Harald, you didn’t need a crown to be a king. Thank you so much for everything you have done for our city. We will never forget you.”

**Future ceremonies and duties**

A national period of mourning has been declared, and churches nationwide will hold memorial services on Sunday, including a service the royal family is scheduled to attend in Asker, south of Oslo. No date has yet been set for King Harald V’s funeral.

On Tuesday, King Haakon VIII is expected to take the oath of allegiance in the Storting (parliament). While Norway abolished coronations in 1908, the king may choose a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral, a tradition used for monarchs between 1814 and 1906.

**Domestic and international reactions**

Norwegian citizens expressed a range of emotions. Kari Lyngestad, a nurse, described the speech as “very emotional” and said she felt both “happy and sad” and confident in the new king. Teacher Eyvind Storeheier called the address “fantastic,” adding that he expects Haakon to be “a king of the people.”

International leaders also sent condolences. Former U.S. President Donald Trump released a statement praising King Harald V as “a strong, proud, and greatly respected man.” European monarchs and other heads of state issued similar tributes.

**Recent challenges for the royal family**

King Harald V had been hospitalized since 17 August with haemolytic anaemia, a condition that reduces red‑blood‑cell count and causes fatigue and shortness of breath. In his final years, health problems limited his official duties.

The royal family has faced a series of controversies in recent months. Queen Sonja, also 89, was briefly hospitalized in May for heart‑related issues. Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, who suffers from a serious lung disease and underwent a lung transplant in July, has been scrutinised for past associations with the late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein; the nature of those ties remains a subject of public debate. Additionally, Mette‑Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was sentenced in June to four years in prison for two rape convictions, a sentence he is currently appealing.

Despite these challenges, King Haakon VIII emphasized the continuity of the monarchy, stating that his father “reminded our family constantly that each

Article and image source: thelocal.no