Tens of thousands of people across Norway gathered outside cathedrals and churches on Sunday for memorial services for King Harald V, who died on Friday at the age of 89. His death has placed the country in official mourning, with his son Haakon succeeding him as King Haakon VIII immediately after his death.

Norway’s royal palace announced on Sunday evening that Harald’s funeral will take place on Wednesday, September 9. Since his death, mourners have gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo to lay flowers, leave cards and light candles in memory of the long-serving monarch.

Memorial Services Held Across Country

At Oslo Cathedral, Dean Pl Kristian Balstad opened Sunday’s service by acknowledging the national grief. “This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost their spouse, father, grandfather, father-in-law,” public broadcaster NRK reported.

Members of the royal family attended a service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo, as memorial events were held in several parts of the country.

The national mourning period has also affected private celebrations. NRK reported that some Norwegians had chosen to postpone weddings, baptisms and other events until the mourning period comes to an end.

The coffin carrying Harald arrived at the royal palace in Oslo late on Friday after being brought from the hospital. Crowds subsequently gathered outside the palace to pay their respects.

Haakon VIII Pays Tribute To His Father

King Haakon VIII addressed the nation on Saturday night in his first speech as monarch, speaking emotionally about the loss of his father and the responsibility of taking the throne.

“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,” Haakon said in an address broadcast live on public television.

Fighting back tears, the new king pledged to devote himself to Norway and its people. “That means – in the ultimate sense – being willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence,” he said.

Haakon has adopted the royal motto “All for Norway”, a phrase that dates back to his great-grandfather. His wife, Mette-Marit, is now Queen Mette-Marit, while their eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, has become crown princess and heir to the throne.

New King Faces Challenges Ahead

One of Haakon’s immediate challenges will be maintaining public support for the monarchy following controversies surrounding the royal family. These include questions over Queen Mette-Marit’s past contacts with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the rape conviction of her son.

Norway’s monarchy traces its history to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. The institution was restored after Norway became independent from Sweden in 1905, when about three-quarters of voters backed retaining a monarchy in a national plebiscite.

The Norwegian monarch now has a largely ceremonial role, with political authority resting with the country’s elected parliament. The royal family, however, remains a prominent national institution and plays an important role in representing Norway at home and abroad.

As Norway prepares for Harald’s September 9 funeral, the country remains in mourning for a monarch who spent decades as a prominent symbol of national continuity.

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