Oslo.- Haakon VIII will address the nation this Saturday for the first time as the new king of Norway in a speech in memory of his father, Harald V, who passed away early Friday morning at 89 years of age.
“His Majesty King Haakon VIII will deliver a speech in memory of his father, King Harald. The speech will be broadcast today, Saturday, August 29, at 7:00 PM,” the Royal House announced through its official website.
It is tradition for a new monarch to address the people shortly after the passing of a king, the NTB agency recalls.
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Thus, 35 years ago, when King Olav passed away, King Harald addressed a grieving nation the day after the death.
In his first speech as king, Harald remembered his father and, at the same time, asked for the people’s support for the task that lay ahead of him.
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Harald V died on Friday at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) at the Oslo University Hospital, where he had been admitted on August 17.
Anemia had forced the hospitalization of Harald V, but his condition worsened when his ailment developed into a blood infection, and as of last Thursday, his condition was “very serious”.
The coffin of the late monarch, the longest-reigning in Europe, arrived at the Royal Palace on Friday well past 19:00 local time (17:00 GMT), where it had been transported from the Kingdom Hospital, before the anticipation of many people who crowded along the route to witness, under incessant rain, the passage of the hearse.
Harald V ascended to the throne in 1991 and enjoyed great popularity among the Norwegian population, reaching approval ratings of over 70%.
A nation in mourning
The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, summarized the sentiment of the Norwegian people by stating in a speech to the population that “an entire nation is united in grief and gratitude”.
The head of government expressed full confidence and support for the new king and also revealed that the queen and wife of Haakon VIII for 25 years will be called «Queen Mette-Marit» without any additions.
In turn, their daughter in common, Ingrid Alexandra, 22, has become crown princess.
«An era has ended. A new one begins. The king is dead. Long live the king!», concluded Støre in his message to the nation.
