Summary
King Haakon VIII has taken the throne in Norway following the death of his father, Harald V
Harald, who was on the throne for 35 years, died early on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo where he was being treated for a rare blood condition
The Norwegian PM says “a whole nation is in mourning” following his death – Oslo’s mayor says she has cancelled her wedding, which was scheduled for today
The late king was a popular leader and is credited with modernising the Norwegian monarchy – he broke with tradition by marrying a commoner, Queen Sonja
Flowers are being laid at a memorial near the palace, and the UK’s King Charles III shares his “most heartfelt condolences”
King Haakon has met with government ministers at the Royal Palace in the capital
He has opted to keep the family’s long-standing royal motto: “All for Norway”
King Harald’s coffin to be moved from hospital to Royal Palace
Reuters, A flag flies at half mast at the Norwegian Royal PalaceKing Harald’s coffin will be moved from hospital to the Royal Palace in Oslo this evening, the Norwegian Royal Family has confirmed.
His son King Haakon, the new Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Harald’s wife Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Princess Märtha Louise will accompany the coffin.
A procession will leave the the chapel at Rikshospitalet at 18:30 local time (17:30 BST) and will work its way towards the palace.
Norwegian prime minister pays tribute to King Harald V
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere has joined the crowd of mourners gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.
Stoere, who has led the country since 2021, added his own bouquet to the growing number of tributes.
Earlier, he gave a televised address in which he said the country was “united in grief and gratitude”, but that Harald’s “legacy lives on”.
‘It was an honour to meet you,’ says Haaland as Norway’s footballers pay tribute
Amanda Pedersen Giske / NTB / AFP via Getty Images) / Norway OUTNorway’s footballers have also been paying tribute to the late King Harald on social media.
Women’s team captain Ada Hegerberg writes “rest in peace our King” on her Instagram story.
Meanwhile, Norway men’s captain Martin Ødegaard writes: “Thank you for everything you were for Norway.
“A great king and a great man whom we all felt close to.”
Erling Haaland writes in a post: “Rest in peace, King Harald. Thank you for everything you meant to Norway. It was an honour to meet you.”
Harald had invited the men’s national football team to a reception at the Royal Palace following their most successful World Cup this summer.
