Norway has begun a period of deep mourning following the death of King Harald V, who passed away peacefully on Friday morning at the age of 89. The monarch died at a hospital in Oslo where he had been receiving treatment for a rare blood condition. His passing marks the end of a thirty five year reign defined by modernization and warmth, earning him the affectionate nickname of Norway’s grandfather. He will be remembered not only for steering the nation through its most challenging hours but also for breaking rigid royal traditions when he married Queen Sonja, a commoner.
Thousands of grieving citizens braved pouring rain to line the streets of Oslo as the King’s coffin was transported from the university hospital to the Royal Palace. In a scene characterized by heavy silence and solemnity, over ten thousand people gathered under umbrellas and raincoats, many waving Norwegian flags as the slow motorcade passed. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store joined the streaming crowds at the palace gates to lay flowers and pay final respects to a man viewed as a vital unifying force for the kingdom.
As the nation grieves, fifty three year old Haakon has ascended to the throne as King Haakon VIII. While he has already stepped into his role alongside Queen Mette Marit, official proceedings will continue shortly; according to the Storting, Norway’s parliament, the new king is scheduled to take his formal oath of allegiance to the constitution on September first. This transition comes as the country prepares for a state funeral and burial at Akershus Fortress.
King Harald will eventually be laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum beneath the castle church at Akershus Fortress, which has stood guard over Oslo for seven centuries. There he will join his ancestors, including his parents King Olav V and Crown Princess Martha, as well as his grandparents King Haakon VII and Queen Maud. Although an exact date for the funeral service has yet to be announced, preparations are underway to honor one of Norway’s most beloved figures in history.
