Norway's new king pays tribute to 'my dear father' in first address
King Haakon of Norway gave his first address to the nation after the death of his father, King Harald, emphasising unity and family, while the country enters mourning. He will take the oath of allegiance in parliament on Tuesday.
In his first speech after succeeding to the throne, Norway's new King Haakon spoke of his late father, King Harald, as a devoted parent and grandfather, and called for national unity. He said the royal family believed in a society built on law and justice where all people have equal worth. Haakon also noted that Saturday would have been his parents' 58th wedding anniversary, and appeared to struggle with emotion.
The new monarch recalled that Harald had been a "warm and funny grandfather" to six grandchildren and a loving husband to Queen Sonja, and had brought the family together with a natural authority. He remembered his father's advice that each family member should find their own way and remain true to themselves.
Haakon described the sight of thousands of Norwegians gathering outside the royal palace in Oslo with flowers and candles as a powerful and moving experience. "We are in mourning, yet at the same time it brings comfort and strength that so many are grieving together with us," he said. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also laid flowers and signed a book of condolences, saying the country was "united in grief and gratitude".
Haakon is due to swear an oath of allegiance in parliament on Tuesday and later attend a consecration service with his wife, Queen Mette-Marit — a simpler ceremony, as Norway no longer holds coronations.
His accession comes amid a difficult year for the royal family. Mette-Marit apologised after it became known she had a friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and she is recovering from a lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis; doctors will not declare her stable until next year. Her 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. Haakon's sister, Princess Märtha Louise, stepped back from royal duties after her business ventures drew controversy.
Without mentioning these issues, Haakon said his family had experienced the importance of standing together in difficult times. He promised that he, Mette-Marit and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra would always try to understand different people's life situations. "No one who lives in this country knows what we will face together, but what we do know is that we will stand by one another through both good days and difficult ones," he added.
A poll for Aftenposten earlier this year found support for the monarchy had fallen to 54%, down from 72% in 2024. Norwegian royal experts told the BBC that despite the turbulence, the new king is respected and hard-working, and should be able to move forward.
