- King Harald V died at the National Hospital in Oslo.
- The coffin arrived at the royal palace Friday evening from the National Hospital in Oslo where Harald died.
- Tens of thousands mourn King Harald V as his son takes the throne.
- Churches and city halls opened specially on Saturday so people could light candles and write their thoughts in condolence books.
Tens of thousands of mourners paid their respects to Norway’s King Harald V on Saturday, placing flowers and condolence cards outside the royal palace in Oslo after his death at 89. A sea of colourful flowers covered Slottsplassen, the square in front of the palace, as a steady stream of Norwegians filed past.
The coffin arrived at the royal palace Friday evening from the National Hospital in Oslo where Harald died. “It’s special, intimate, and lovely,” Roni Ervik, 46, told NRK as he paid his respects, adding he was also paying tribute on behalf of his family from western Norway.2
Across the country, churches and city halls opened specially on Saturday for people to light candles and write in condolence books. Palace workers collected cards soaked after a nightly downpour to preserve the mourners’ messages for posterity, NRK reported.4
Following the king's passing, his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, ascended the throne as King Haakon VIII, adopting the motto “All for Norway,” which dates back to his great-grandfather. His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, while their oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir to the throne. Haakon is well acquainted with his royal obligations, having stepped in as the country’s regent on several occasions as his father aged and his health declined in recent years.
“The coffin arrived at the royal palace Friday evening from the National Hospital in Oslo, where Harald died. Across the country, churches and city halls opened on Saturday for people to light candles and write condolences in books.”
The Globe and Mail
