OSLO, Norway (AP) — King Haakon VIII of Norway used his first speech in his new role to eulogize his father, King Harald V, as a loving parent and dedicated monarch a day after he died at 89.
“We are in mourning. At the same time, it brings us comfort and strength to know that so many are mourning with us,” the king said wearing a black suit as his speech was shown live on public television.
After Harald V’s death on Friday morning, the crown prince
became King Haakon VIII immediately.
He thanked the people for their outpouring of compassion and remembered what a loving father and husband Harald had been.
Tens of thousands of mourners paid their respects, placing flowers and condolence cards outside the royal palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital.
Across the country, churches and city halls opened specially so people could light candles, and write their thoughts about the deceased king in condolence books.
“It has been a powerful and moving experience to see the Palace Square filled with people, flowers, messages of condolence, and candles. Thank you so much,” 53-year-old Haakon said, sitting on a wooden desk next to his father's portrait and two white candles.
“As king, my father represented Norway and the Norwegian people with pride and joy, through visits around the country, at events here at the royal palace, and while working on Norway’s behalf around the world,” Haakon said.
“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,” he added, trying to hold back his tears as he vowed to give everything for the country in the future as its new king.
“And that means — in the ultimate sense — being willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence.”
Haakon adopted the motto “All for Norway,” which dates back to his great-grandfather. His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, while his oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir to the throne.
Earlier on Saturday, the new king and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church of Norway to the palace where King Harald's coffin was lying in state, the royal palace said in a statement.
On Sunday morning, the Church of Norway is holding memorial services across the country, with the royal family expected to attend the service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo, the palace said.
Haakon is well acquainted with his royal obligations. As his father aged and his health declined in recent years, Haakon stepped in as regent on several occasions.
His tasks in the near future will include shoring up support for the monarchy following controversies over his wife’s past contacts with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson’s rape conviction.
A date for the funeral has not been set, but the country is officially in a state of mourning and some people decided to postpone celebrations such as weddings and baptisms until after the mourning period has passed, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported.
Norway’s monarchy has old roots, tracing its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.
Today, the role is largely symbolic as power lies with an elected parliament, but the royal family retains celebrity and a role in promoting the wealthy nation around the world.
