Norwegians gathered in churches and at memorial sites across the country on Sunday to honor the late King Harald V, who died Friday at the age of 89.
Services were held in cathedrals and churches, with many citizens laying flowers, writing cards, and lighting candles in front of the royal palace in Oslo. The King's coffin arrived at the palace late Friday from the hospital.
Dean Pål Kristian Balstad opened a memorial service in Oslo Cathedral, stating, "This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost their spouse, father, grandfather, father-in-law." The royal family attended a service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo.
King Harald's son, who has become the new King Haakon VIII, eulogized his father on Saturday night, expressing his grief and pledging to lead the country with dedication. "I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations," the new king said in his first televised address. He vowed to "give everything for the country in the future as its new king," adding that this means being "willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence."
The new monarch has adopted the motto "All for Norway," a phrase used by his great-grandfather. His wife is now Queen Mette-Marit, and his eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, is the crown princess and heir to the throne.
Norway's monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. The monarchy was restored in 1905 after Norway regained independence from Sweden, with three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approving the move. While the role of the monarch is largely symbolic today, with power residing in the elected parliament, the royal family maintains a significant public profile and promotes the nation internationally.
A date for the state funeral has not yet been set, but the country is observing a period of national mourning. Some citizens have chosen to postpone personal celebrations, such as weddings and baptisms, until after the mourning period concludes.