King Haakon VIII of Norway’s Speech

Following the passing of King Harald V at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo, a Cabinet Meeting, and Transfer to the Royal Place of Oslo, King Haakon VIII of Norway has delivered a Speech to the Norwegian People from the Royal Palace of Oslo on August 29th, the 58th Wedding Anniversary of King Harald and Queen Sonja.

View this post on Instagram

Watch the Speech

King Haakon VIII of Norway has delivered a Speech to the Norwegian People from the Royal Palace of Oslo following the passing of King Harald V.

🔗https://t.co/5VZeIYXDS2 pic.twitter.com/MDzX29dVpX
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) August 29, 2026

Dear everyone,

Yesterday morning at 06:35, His Majesty King Harald V, my father whom I loved so much, died.

We are in mourning. At the same time, it gives us comfort and strength that so many people are grieving with us. It has been a powerful and moving experience to see the Palace Square filled with people, flowers, greetings and lights. Thank you very much.

My dear father, thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me. Warm and safe. You were also a warm and funny grandfather. A loving and caring husband. A generous father-in-law. A brother and uncle who everyone was so happy to be with. You were the head of the family, who, together with my mother, embraced and brought us all together with a natural authority that you may not have been fully aware of yourself. Above all, you were a person who always stood by your values and commitments. You supported and took care of us all. It makes me proud to think about everything you both stood for — and stood up for.

I will miss him. I will miss his laugh. His warm way of meeting people and situations. My father always made people around him relax.

He was a good listener, especially when dealing with children and young people – for whom he had an extra space in his heart.

The big, warm royal hand reached out to everyone, young and old, who needed an extra handshake. He met everyone with respect and generosity – and never discriminated against anyone.

He traveled to comfort those affected by the hurricane – dressed in a bubble jacket and rubber boots.
He apologized to the Sami for the injustices committed against them – on behalf of all of us.
He cried with us after we had lost so many on Utøya and in the government quarter.
He brought us together by putting into words who we Norwegians are.

I imagine him on the sailboat – with a cap, sunglasses and a resounding laugh. Where he could just be himself, get energy and lots of joy – in competition with other passionate sailors.

And the picture of his big smile in the hammock in the Amazon – where he finally fulfilled his boyhood dream of living a few days with the Yanomami people. A dream that arose from a commitment to caring for the world’s animals and nature.

I know many of you will miss a lot of this too.

Across the country – and around the world – there are thousands of people who today hold the memories they have of meetings with him in high regard. Memories that will live on in people’s hearts and family stories.

As king, my father represented Norway and Norwegians with pride and joy. Through visits around the country, at events here at the Palace, and at work for Norway abroad.

In the snowdrift at the cross-country stadium.
On the Palace balcony on May 17.
On a state visit to Nelson Mandela.

It was also a great strength for him to have my mother, Queen Sonja, as a life partner to share the work with. She contributed to their becoming a strong royal couple who complemented each other well. I know how much she meant to King Harald for standing so firmly in his life’s work. In the life’s work they shared. Today marks 58 years since they got married. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, dear mother.

King Harald accompanied our country through a period of great change. From the time he set foot on Rådhuskaia as an eight-year-old upon his return from World War II – until today – Norway has undergone a great deal of positive development. Today we are a welfare society – where people from different backgrounds live together and figure it out with each other.

At the same time, the world is once again more unsafe and unpredictable than it has been during most of King Harald’s reign. Something that also affects us here in this country and has brought a new seriousness to us.Now that my father has passed away, there is a big task ahead of me.

He constantly reminded us in the family that everyone must do things their own way. Find their own form. Be themselves. He succeeded his father King Olav – who in turn succeeded his father King Haakon.

Now it’s my turn.

I am deeply grateful to have my family around me, and for the great support Queen Mette-Marit and our children have for me.

I would also like to thank my mother and sister for the strength they share as they themselves grieve the loss of a beloved husband and father.

Our family has experienced the importance of standing together to stand strong – both within ourselves and for each other. Even in difficult times.

Our unity is a great strength for the work we will do for Norway.

After King Harald’s long and eventful reign, it is now up to us to guide each other into a new era. Queen Mette-Marit and I want to be present and listening. The Queen, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and I will always try to understand the life situations of different people.

No one knows today what we who live in this country will face together. But what we do know is that we will follow each other through both good and difficult days.

We believe in a Norway where we stand securely rooted in our history, in what has shaped us over time.
We believe in our popular government – and in democracy.
We believe in a society built on law and justice – and where everyone is of equal value.
A society where we see and recognize each other’s resources – so that together we can create a Norway where everyone can contribute and feel at home.
We believe in a Norway where there is room for everyone.
We shall feel the strength of our community – and know with ourselves that we are one people.

Dear all,
Today I feel a great sense of gratitude towards those who have gone before me. All were kings of their time. They were loved, respected and meant a lot to many. I have learned a lot from them all.

Like King Haakon, King Olav and King Harald, I take the election language – “All for Norway”.

“Everything for Norway” means fighting for everyone in Norway to have the opportunity to live a free life. It also implies a responsibility to ensure that we as a nation contribute positively to the world.

And that means – in the ultimate consequence – being willing to risk everything, including life, for Norway’s freedom and independence.

For its peace is encamped.

Today we are a family in mourning, and a people in mourning.
We thank King Harald for all he was and all he did – for Norway, – for everyone in our country.

With God’s help and the support of the people, I look forward to the great task that lies ahead. I pray that we will all unite in the old wish:

May God preserve our country.

Queen Sonja, King Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Princess Märtha Louise followed the Coffin of the late King Harald V of Norway from the Rikshospitalet to the Royal Palace of Oslo.

The bier and the royal entourage began their journey from the chapel at the National Hospital, and along the entire route to the Palace, many people had gathered to say goodbye to King Harald.

The remains of the late King Harald V of Norway will lie in State at the Royal Palace until the yet to be announced date of the Funeral at Oslo Cathedral before a Burial at the Akershus Fortress.

View this post on Instagram

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra joined King Haakon VIII of Norway for the extraordinary Cabinet Meeting at the Royal Palace of Oslo after the passing of King Harald V of Norway. The Crown Princess will now also attend the weekly Cabinet Meetings and serve as Regent of Norway when required.

The King announced:

Prime Minister and ministers:

It is my duty to inform the Council of State that my dear father, His Majesty King Harald V, died today, 28 August 2026 at 06:35, and that in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, I have assumed the government as King of Norway.

I will take the name Haakon VIII and will continue the same motto that my father, grandfather and great-grandfather chose: “Everything for Norway.”

HM The King thanked the members of the government and the Norwegian people for their support and sympathy for the Royal Family during this time.

View this post on Instagram

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald today. King Harald passed away peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6:35 a.m.