Norway’s King Haakon VIII Pays Emotional Tribute in First Address
On Friday evening, King Haakon VIII sat in the Oslo royal palace and delivered his first speech since ascending to the throne, paying a deeply personal tribute to his late father, King Harald V.
"Thank you for being such a good dad," Ha Jon sounded emotional as he spoke from a desk beside an image of Harald, two candles and a bowl of white roses. The King also remarked, "Now it is my turn," signalling a new chapter amid the grief of a nation.
The address went beyond personal recollection. Ha Jon emphasized national unity, pledging that the royal family would uphold a "society built on law and justice, where everyone is of equal value", and celebrating Harald’s legacy as a "people’s king" who brought the family together with "natural authority".
He remembered the approaching 58th wedding anniversary of Harald and Queen Sonja—a reminder of the royal couple’s enduring commitment—and referenced Harald’s role as a warm grandfather to six grandchildren and a loving husband to Sonja.
Outside the palace, thousands gathered with flowers, candles and standing‑up tributes, as the King noted, "We are in mourning, yet at the same time it brings comfort that so many are grieving together with us." Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also laid flowers, underscoring a national sense of solidarity.
Harald’s death marks another turning point for a royal house that has faced health crises and controversies this year. Queen Mette‑Marit’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, her lung transplant, and son Marius Borg Høiby’s conviction for rape have all kept the family in the public eye. Yet Ha Jon stressed that "standing together" is vital when facing such challenges.
Looking ahead, the King will swear an oath of allegiance in parliament on Tuesday and later join a ceremonial consecration with Queen Mette‑Marit, a program that serves as Norway’s modern coronation.
Lees glimpses of how public support for the monarchy has fluctuated—from 72 % in 2024 to 54 % earlier this year—yet experts continue to view the new King as respected, diligent, and ready to navigate the monarchy through a period of uncertainty.
