Crown Princess Victoria paid tribute to her late godfather, King Harald, on Saturday, calling him “always welcoming and warm.”
In a statement shared by the Swedish Royal Court, Crown Princess Victoria wrote that King Harald, who passed away Friday morning at the age of 89, “was a much-loved godfather… He had a ready laugh and a twinkle in his eye.”
Sweden’s future queen called King Harald a role model and an unusually nice person who left “an impression that time never erases.”
Crown Princess Victoria continued: “Uncle Harald, you will forever remain in the hearts of all of us who loved you!”
She then shared that both she and Prince Daniel continue to think about the people of Norway, and King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit, and Queen Sonja as the country grieves the loss of Harald V, who reigned for 35 years.
Crown Princess Victoria’s condolence message was published a day after her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, released his own message and ordered court mourning in Sweden.
King Carl XVI Gustaf wrote: “Throughout the years, [King Harald] has been a good friend to me, my family and to Sweden. King Harald is now mourned by many in our country.”
He added: “To Queen Sonja, my family and I today offer our deepest condolences.
“I wish my dear godson Haakon, who now succeeds his father as King of Norway, all happiness and success in his future work for our brotherly country and people.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf ordered a period of court mourning in Sweden over the weekend and on the day of King Harald’s funeral, which has not been publicly announced. Flags will also be lowered to half-mast on those days.
Chamber mourning will go into effect from 30 August until the day before King Harald’s funeral. In some cases, royal engagements in Sweden will be postponed in accordance with the official mourning period.
In Denmark, King Frederik and Queen Mary lowered their flags to half-mast on Friday.
In their letter to King Haakon, the Danish royal couple wrote: “Your father has had a great impact on my mother and on us. Uncle Harald, with his warm personality and rock-solid calm, could make anyone relax in his company. He was a fine man with a twinkle in his eye and a big heart.”
They sent King Haakon their best wishes as he assumed the responsibility of kingship, writing: “You are now stepping into your role as king. It is a responsibility that we are convinced that you will bear with the same honor and dignity as your father.”
In his first address as monarch, King Haakon paid tribute to his father and said that he would formally adopt the same motto: “Alt for Norge.”
