Norwegians Mourn King Harald As Son Assumes Throne
Thousands of Norwegians gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo on Saturday to pay their respects to King Harald, who died on Friday aged 89 after more than three decades on the throne.
Harald, Europe’s oldest monarch, was remembered by mourners for his inclusive approach and tolerance as flags flew at half-mast across Norway.
Large crowds had lined Oslo streets late Friday as the king’s funeral cortege travelled from Oslo University Hospital, where he died, to the Royal Palace.
His only son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically became king following his father’s death under Norway’s constitutional monarchy. He will address the nation in a televised speech on Saturday and take an oath before parliament on Tuesday.
There will be no coronation, as Norway abolished the practice in 1908.
Mourners Remember His Inclusiveness
On what would have been Harald and Queen Sonja’s 58th wedding anniversary, mourners gathered along Oslo’s Karl Johan avenue with flowers, cards, drawings and Norwegian flags.
Veselina Vitanova, a 43-year-old teacher originally from Bulgaria, said Harald helped immigrants feel accepted.
“He meant a lot to us immigrants … We felt really very included. So, thanks to him, I feel so Norwegian,” Vitanova told Reuters.
Others recalled a 2016 speech by Harald that gained international attention, in which he said: “Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys and girls and boys who love each other”.
“It embodies the way he felt about people and the way he wanted us Norwegians to feel about each other,” said Mari Eidsvaag, 32, who wore a T-shirt featuring the statement.
“I think it’s a very important statement, especially these days,” she told Reuters.
