Oslo: Norway’s newly crowned King Haakon VIII delivered his first televised address to the nation on Saturday, paying an emotional tribute to his father, King Harald V, who died at the age of 89 a day earlier.
Haakon, 53, spoke from the Royal Palace in Oslo and remembered Harald as a loving father as well as a dedicated monarch. He said he would miss his father’s laughter and his warm, good-natured way of dealing with people and difficult situations.
The new king also became visibly emotional while speaking about his mother, Queen Sonja. Saturday would have marked Harald and Sonja’s 58th wedding anniversary. Haakon acknowledged the difficult coincidence and paid tribute to his parents’ long marriage.
King Harald died on Friday after more than three decades on the Norwegian throne. He became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V, and was widely regarded as a modern and inclusive monarch. His death has prompted a period of national mourning, with thousands of people gathering outside the Royal Palace to leave flowers, messages and candles.
In his first speech, Haakon made it clear that while he would draw inspiration from his father, he also intended to follow his own path. He reaffirmed his commitment to Norway’s constitutional monarchy, democracy and the rule of law.
He stressed the importance of equality and inclusion, saying that Norway should remain a country where there is room for everyone. He also promised to serve the country with dedication and listen to its people.
Haakon automatically became king following his father’s death. Norway does not hold a traditional coronation, as the practice was abolished more than a century ago. The new monarch is scheduled to take an oath before Parliament on Tuesday, pledging to uphold the country’s constitution and laws.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Haakon had inherited from his father an ability to create a sense of togetherness. That quality could prove important as the new king begins his reign during a period of mourning.
Across Oslo, people continued to gather to remember Harald. Flags were flown at half-mast, while churches and public buildings opened their doors for memorial services and condolence messages.
For Haakon, the first address marked both a deeply personal farewell to his father and the beginning of a new chapter as Norway’s monarch.
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