THOUSANDS of grieving Norwegians flooded Oslo to bid a heartbreaking farewell to King Harald V after the beloved monarch died aged 89.
Mourners packed the streets outside the Royal Palace, where Harald’s coffin now lies in state, clutching flowers, cards, drawings and Norwegian flags.
Europe’s former oldest reigning monarch died peacefully on Friday after a battle with haemolytic anaemia, bringing his 35-year reign to a sombre end.
His death plunged the Scandinavian nation into mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast and huge portraits of the late king appearing across the country.
On Friday night, huge crowds braved pouring rain to watch Harald’s funeral cortege make its solemn journey from Oslo University Hospital to the palace.
More than 20,000 people had already paid their respects by Saturday after floral tributes began piling up outside the royal residence.
Harald was widely admired for his warmth, humility and fiercely inclusive approach to modern Norway.
One mourner, Bulgarian-born teacher Veselina Vitanova, 43, said: “He meant a lot to us immigrants … We felt really very included. So, thanks to him, I feel so Norwegian.”
Caroline Vagle, a reporter for Se og Hor, said Harald “was someone who always seemed to find the words that brought us together and gave us a sense of security”.
The death of Harald led to an immediate royal succession, with his 53-year-old son Haakon automatically becoming king.
Haakon addressed the nation in a televised speech at 7pm local time on Saturday.
The King said: “Dear father, thank you for being a good father to Martha and me.
“You were the head of the family.”
He swore an oath before parliament on Tuesday, pledging to defend Norway’s constitution and laws.
“The king is dead. Long live the king,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said after meeting the new monarch.
There will be no coronation, with the centuries-old practice abolished by parliament in 1908.
Instead, Haakon could choose to have his reign blessed in a ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral.
King Charles was among those who paid an emotional tribute to his “dear cousin” following Harald’s death.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, he said: “It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway.”
He added: “For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.”
Charles said Harald was a “much-loved kinsman and friend” whose “kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty” stretched “across the sea and across the decades”.
He also highlighted the “particularly close historical and family ties” between Britain and Norway.
“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.”
He signed the message: “Charles R.”
Harald had suffered mounting health problems in recent years and had been in hospital in Oslo since August 17.
He had been treated with cortisone for haemolytic anaemia, a rare condition in which red blood cells are destroyed unusually quickly, causing fatigue and shortness of breath.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16918969/norway-mourns-king-harald-v-royal-palace-farewell/
