Norway is observing a period of national mourning following the death of King Harald, with his son, Crown Prince Haakon, now ascending to the throne as King Haakon VIII. The Norwegian Armed Forces honored the late King with a 21-gun salute from Akershus Fortress in Oslo.
A procession carrying the King's body departed Rikshospitalet, where he passed away, and proceeded to the palace. The date of the funeral has not yet been announced. During the mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast, and the King's portrait will be displayed with candles lit and moments of silence observed at professional events.
Non-work-related social events have been canceled or postponed. Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who was scheduled to marry on Friday, postponed her wedding.
King Haakon, the younger of King Harald's two children, is now the monarch, with his wife Mette-Marit serving as queen. He is scheduled to take an oath before the Norwegian Parliament on Tuesday, followed by a consecration service, a modified version of a coronation as Norway no longer holds such ceremonies. The new King has adopted the family motto "all for norway."
His daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, aged 22, is next in line to the throne. She joined her father to meet with ministers at the palace on Friday. The rules of succession were altered in 1990 to allow the firstborn child, regardless of gender, to inherit the crown. Mourners gathered outside the Royal Palace to pay their respects, with tributes including candles and flowers being laid. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere was among those who paid their respects outside the palace.