Norway's New King Haakon VIII Addresses Nation for First Time After Father's Death

Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII, addressed the nation for the first time on Saturday, following the death of his father, King Harald V. The 53-year-old king delivered a speech broadcast live from the Royal Palace in Oslo, where his father was lying in state. During his address, King Haakon VIII expressed his gratitude to his father, stating, 'Thank you for everything he was and everything he did.'

King Harald V, who was a cousin of King Charles III, passed away on Friday at the age of 89. His death followed a brief hospital stay where he was being treated for haemolytic anaemia. In his eulogy, the new king remembered his father as a loving parent and a dedicated monarch. He also extended thanks to the people of Norway for their compassion during the period of mourning.

"Dear Dad," King Haakon VIII said, "Thank you for being such a good father to Märtha and me. Warm and reassuring. You were also a gentle and funny grandfather. A loving and thoughtful husband. A generous father-in-law. A brother and uncle whom everyone loved spending time with."

He continued, "I'm going to miss him. I'll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations. My father always made those around him feel at ease."

Wearing a black suit and seated beside a photograph of his late father, King Haakon VIII reflected on his father's reign. "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."

The new king acknowledged the national grief, stating, "We are in mourning. At the same time, it brings us comfort and strength to know that so many are mourning with us. 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."

King Harald V ruled Norway for 35 years, becoming the country's oldest reigning monarch in 2024. He died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital. King Charles III extended his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family, referring to King Harald V as his "dear cousin."

"As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades," King Charles said in a statement. "The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway's grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss."

Thousands of mourners gathered in Oslo following King Harald V's death, laying flowers and condolence cards outside the royal palace. Flags flew at half-mast across the country.

King Haakon VIII, the only son of King Harald V and Queen Dowager Sonja, has two children with his wife, Mette-Marit: Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 20. Princess Ingrid Alexandra is now second in line to the throne, potentially becoming Norway's first female monarch in over 600 years. The new king's wife, Mette-Marit, has recently faced scrutiny due to past stays at Jeffrey Epstein's residence, and her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of rape charges in June. Additionally, King Haakon VIII's sister, Princess Märtha Louise, and her husband, Durek Verrett, are preparing to release a second reality television show, adding to recent controversies surrounding the Norwegian monarchy.