Norway mourns King Harald as Haakon VIII ascends throne

What the report says

Norway has entered a period of national mourning after the death of King Harald V, with crowds gathering outside the royal palace in Oslo to leave flowers, flags and messages of thanks. BBC World News reported that Harald died in hospital on Friday morning after treatment for a rare blood condition, and that tributes quickly followed from citizens, ministers and European royals. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the country as united in grief and gratitude, while the Norwegian armed forces marked the death with a 21-gun salute.

Harald’s son, now King Haakon VIII, formally stepped into the role and met government ministers at an extraordinary council of state meeting. He said he would take up the royal family’s motto, “All for Norway,” and is due to be sworn in before parliament next week, followed by a consecration service, a smaller ceremony used in Norway instead of a coronation. His wife, Mette-Marit, is now queen, and their daughter Ingrid Alexandra is next in line to the throne.

The report said the late king was widely seen as a “people’s king” who helped modernise the monarchy and was respected for his inclusive style. It also noted that the new king inherits the throne during a difficult period for the royal family, following health problems and scandals involving close relatives. Separately, BBC World News said public support for the monarchy has recently declined, though royal experts believe Haakon is viewed as capable of carrying on despite those pressures.