Norway is in official mourning for King Harald following his death at the age of 89.
The Norwegian government had announced that mourning begins today, August 28, and will continue until the day of Harald V’s funeral.
Mourning flags are being hung at the Royal Palace in Oslo and gun salutes have also taken place to mark the death of Harald V.
King Haakon VIII, who had spent the night at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo with his father and who was at Harald’s side when he died, travelled to the Royal Palace in the first hours of his reign.
(Kongehuset)
The new king, who hadn’t slept, was called upon to meet an Extraordinary Council of State made up of the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store, the President of the Storting and other politicians.
King Haakon VIII greeted them all individually before taking the monarch’s chair at the table. At his side was the new heir to the throne, now Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
It was then down tot he new king to declare the death of his father publicly. He told those gathered that, with sadness, he announced that his father, Harald V, had passed away and acknowledged that he had now taken the throne.
The new king also confirmed that he would reign as King Haakon VIII and that he would keep the motto used by his father, grandfather and great grandfather – Alt for Norge, All for Norway.
Soon afterwards, the first portrait of Haakon VIII as king was released. In it, the new monarch has grief etched on his face.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Store was the first to sign the official condolence book, noting that ”we are a nation in mourning, we are a people in sorrow. Thank you for a lifetime of service.”
The message ended ”The King is dead. Long live The King”.
Queen Sonja, who has lost her husband of 58 years, travelled to the Rikshospitalet following the death. She spent many hours with King Harald yesterday as his health worsened and had several hours by herself with him before returning to the Royal Palace.
The couple were due to mark their 58th wedding anniversary on August 29.
