Haakon VIII Honors Late Father King Harald V as Tens of Thousands Mourn in Oslo

First speech and mourning

Norway’s new king, Haakon VIII, used his first speech in his new role to eulogize his late father, King Harald V, as tens of thousands mourned across Oslo and the rest of the country after Harald died at 89.

Haakon said, “We are in mourning. At the same time, it brings us comfort and strength to know that so many are mourning with us,” while his speech was shown live on public television.

The BBC reported that Haakon told the nation, “Thank you for being such a good dad,” in an at-times emotional televised address seated at a desk in Norway’s royal palace beside a picture of Harald V.

The AP said the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital in Oslo, where churches and city halls opened specially so people could light candles and write thoughts in condolence books.

The BBC added that a national period of mourning was declared with no date yet given for Harald’s funeral, while Haakon was expected to attend a memorial service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo.

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Family controversies and unity

As Haakon VIII pledged unity and a “society built on law and justice, where everyone is of equal value,” the BBC said the new king assumed his new role at a difficult time for the royal family amid health challenges and scandals this year. The BBC reported that Haakon’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit, came under scrutiny after documents showed she had had a three-year friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and it said doctors would not declare her stable until next year. In his speech, Haakon said, “Our family has experienced the importance of standing together in order to remain steadfast both within ourselves and for one another even during difficult times,” according to the BBC.

The AP said Haakon vowed to give everything for Norway as its new king, adding, “And that means — in the ultimate sense — being willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence.” The BBC also reported that Haakon would swear an oath of allegiance in parliament on Tuesday and later participate in a consecration service with Queen Mette-Marit, a stripped-down version of a coronation.

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State funeral timetable

Norway has announced that King Harald V will be laid to rest on September 9 after a state funeral at Oslo Cathedral, with a nationwide minute’s silence at 1pm marking the start of the service, the Brussels Signal reported. The Brussels Signal said the ceremony would be led by Olav Fykse Tveit, the presiding bishop of the Church of Norway, with Bishop of Oslo Sunniva Gylver taking part, and it described a 21-gun salute fired from Akershus. The Caliber.Az report said the funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. local time and that the ceremony will be led by Olav Fykse Tveit, Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway.

The Brussels Signal added that the coffin would lie in state in the Palace Chapel from 2pm on September 1 until 6pm on September 8, and it said King Haakon VIII would greet the public from the palace balcony after the burial. The Brussels Signal also said the Storting stated the 53-year-old would take the oath of allegiance to the constitution at 1pm on September 1, as flags at half-mast across the country would be raised to full mast after the burial.

Reporting for this sectionBrussels SignalCaliber.Az