King Håkon, Norway's new monarch, delivered his first address to the people following King Harald's passing, expressing warm condolences and praising him as a consistently good father.
On Saturday, 29 Aug 2026, King Håkon VIII of Norway offered a heartfelt tribute to his late father, King Harald V, in his first speech to the nation since ascending the throne.
"Thank you for always being a good father," he said in an emotionally charged televised statement from his desk in the Royal Palace of Norway, flanked by a portrait of the late king, two lit candles, and a vase of white roses.
King Harald, aged 89, widely respected as a modernizing monarch and "king of the people" during his 35-year reign, died at a hospital on Friday morning, 28 Aug, after being treated for a rare blood disorder.
"Now it is my time," the 53-year-old prince stated, adding that a "great responsibility" lies ahead and pledging to "stand by and care in every task" from this point forward.
King Håkon emphasized national unity, stating the royal family believes in "a society built on the rule of law and justice, where everyone is valued equally."
He said King Harald was a good father to him and his sister, Princess Märtha Louise, as well as a "warm and humorous grandfather" to his six grandchildren, and a "loving and caring husband" to Queen Sonja.
Saturday, 29 Aug, would have been their 58th wedding anniversary. King Håkon recalled how King Harald united the family with a "natural charisma" he might not have even realized, emphasizing his father's steadfast commitment to his values and mission.
"He always reminded us in the family that each of us must do things our own way, find our own style, and be ourselves," King Håkon said.
He also spoke of the "powerful and moving feeling" upon seeing thousands of Norwegians gather outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, bringing "flowers, condolence messages, and candles."
"We are in mourning, but at the same time, having so many people share their condolences comforts and strengthens us," King Håkon said.
Since news of King Harald's death on Friday, Norwegians have laid flowers outside the Royal Palace in Oslo. The government has declared nationwide mourning, with no funeral date set yet.
Among the mourners was Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who laid flowers at the palace and signed the condolence book after paying respects to the new king, saying the nation "stands united in grief and gratitude."
King Håkon is scheduled to take the oath before Parliament on Tuesday, 1 Sep, and will participate in a scaled-down Consecration service with Queen Mette-Marit, replacing the traditional coronation ceremony Norway no longer holds.
King Håkon assumes his new royal duties amid a difficult period, as the royal family faces health issues and scandals over the past year.
Queen Mette-Marit came under public scrutiny after revelations about her three-year friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, for which she has apologized.
Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant surgery after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, with doctors unable to confirm stability until next year, meaning the king must balance royal duties with caring for his wife.
Meanwhile, Mette-Marit's son from a previous marriage, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison in June for rape and other charges; he is currently appealing.
Although Høiby is not a royal family member, he was raised with the family from age four after King Håkon married his mother.
Princess Märtha Louise, King Håkon’s sister, also faced criticism after marrying an American spiritualist in 2024, whose business activities eventually led her to step down from royal duties.
King Håkon did not address these issues directly but said, "Our family has learned the importance of standing together to remain strong within ourselves and for each other, even in difficult times."
He stated that he, along with Mette-Marit and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will "strive to understand the diverse life situations of the people."
"No one in this country knows what challenges we will face together, but what we do know is that we will stand by each other through good times and bad."
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Source:bbc