Norway’s King Haakon VIII honors father in first address

King Haakon VIII used his first televised address as Norway’s monarch to pay tribute to his late father, King Harald V, and to promise that he would be “present and attentive” as he takes on what he called a “major task.”

“Thank you for being such a good dad,” Haakon said Saturday from a desk inside Norway’s royal palace, seated beside a photograph of Harald, two lit candles and a bowl of white roses. The speech aired a day after Harald died in hospital at age 89 following treatment for a rare blood condition. Al Jazeera, citing Norway’s public broadcaster NRK, reported that Harald suffered from haemolytic anaemia, which causes fatigue and shortness of breath.

Harald reigned for 35 years and was widely seen as a modernising monarch and a “people’s king.” Haakon, 53, said his father had represented Norway and its people “with pride and joy” through visits around the country, events at the palace and work abroad on Norway’s behalf.

“Now it is my turn,” Haakon said.

The new king also spoke personally about Harald’s role inside the royal family. He described him as a good father to Haakon and his sister, Princess Märtha Louise, a “warm and funny grandfather” to his six grandchildren and a “loving and caring husband” to Queen Sonja. Haakon appeared to choke back tears as he noted that Saturday would have marked Harald and Sonja’s 58th wedding anniversary.

Harald brought the family together “with a natural authority,” Haakon said, adding that his father had “always stayed true” to his “values and commitments.” He said Harald often reminded relatives that “each of us must do things in our own way. Find our own style. Be ourselves.”

Outside the royal palace in Oslo, Norwegians have laid flowers, candles and messages of condolence since the announcement of Harald’s death. Al Jazeera reported that tens of thousands gathered at Palace Square to pay their respects. Haakon called the scene “a powerful and moving experience.”

“We are in mourning,” he said. “At the same time, it brings us comfort and strength to know that so many are mourning with us.”

The government has declared a national period of mourning that will last until after the funeral. No funeral date has been announced. The Church of Norway is to hold memorial services across the country on Sunday, and people have written in condolence books and lit candles in churches and city halls around Norway.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre laid flowers outside the palace and signed a book of condolences after greeting the new king. He said the country was “united in grief and gratitude.”

Haakon is due Tuesday to swear an oath of allegiance before parliament, pledging to defend Norway’s constitution and laws. He will later take part in a consecration service with Queen Mette-Marit, a pared-down version of a coronation, which Norway no longer holds.

In his address, Haakon emphasized democratic values and national unity. “We believe in our popular government – and in democracy. We believe in a society built on law and justice – and where everyone is of equal value,” he said. He added that he, Mette-Marit and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra would strive to understand people’s lives and listen to Norwegians.

The new king assumes the throne after a difficult period for the royal family. The BBC reported that Mette-Marit came under scrutiny over a three-year friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, for which she publicly apologised. She later received a lung transplant after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis since 2018. Doctors will not declare her stable until next year, according to the BBC.

Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted in June of rape and other offences and sentenced to four years in prison. He is appealing. Høiby is not a member of the royal family but was raised with them after Haakon married his mother. Märtha Louise has also faced controversy over her 2024 remarriage to an American self-styled shaman and related business activities, which led her to step back from royal duties.

Haakon did not refer directly to those controversies, but said the family had learned “the importance of standing together in order to remain steadfast both within ourselves and for one another even during difficult times.”