Norway Mourns King Harald V; King Haakon VIII Ascends Royal Throne

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:51:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Norway pays tribute to King Harald V as King Haakon VIII takes the throne, with crowds at Oslo palace and a national mourning in progress.

Norway has entered a period of national mourning following the death of King Harald V, who died at 89 after a rare blood condition. His son, Haakon VIII, was swiftly crowned and is set to take his oath before Parliament. The royal family faces health challenges and recent scandals, yet experts note the new king is respected and hardworking. Crowds have gathered at Oslo palace, flags are flown at half‑mast and citizens have paused social events to honour the former monarch.

Norway mourns the death of King Harald V, who passed away at 89 after treating a rare blood condition for a week.

Crowds gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, laying flowers and hanging flags, as the nation began a formal period of mourning.

The new monarch, Haakon VIII, met government ministers for an extraordinary council of state and pledged to serve the people with the family motto “All for Norway.”

He will take his oath before Parliament and attend a coronation‑style service, though the royal family continues to face health and scandal issues — his wife Mette‑Marit is recovering from a lung transplant and her son was convicted of serious offences last year.

Despite these challenges, experts say King Haakon is respected and loyal, and the monarchy remains a stable symbol for the country. The national mourning will last until the funeral, with flags at half‑mast, portraits, candles and moments of silence throughout public events.

Norway’s mayor Anne Lindboe cancelled her wedding as a sign of national grief, while Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre led the country in gratitude and remembrance of the former king.