Visibly emotional, dressed in a dark suit and black tie and seated behind a palatial rectangular table, with a portrait of his smiling father, two lit candles, and a floral centerpiece, Haakon XVIII, the new king of Norway, delivered his first message to the country this Saturday, paying tribute to Harald V, who passed away last Friday at the age of 89 after reigning for the last 35 years. The Norwegian monarch confirmed that his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, will share his commitment to the country and declared himself willing to “risk everything, even life, for the freedom and independence of Norway.”
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The message was broadcast from a room in the royal palace, where a sideboard with family photos was placed, including one showing Marius Borg as a child, Mette-Marit’s son who was convicted of rape and abuse.
“Harald V, my father, whom I loved so much, has died. We are in mourning, but at the same time it is comforting to see so many people share our sorrow,” the monarch began, then went on to recall his most intimate memories. “Thank you for being such a good father to Marta Luisa and me, warm and secure,” not forgetting that he was also “a fun and endearing grandfather, a caring husband, and a figure capable of bringing the whole family together.”
Haakon emphasized that his father always stood firm in his values, cared for his own, and exercised his moral authority within the household. “He always made those around him feel at ease,” he said. Haakon did not forget his father’s role during Norway’s difficult times, such as the Utoya attack, when he spoke out against extremism, nor when he supported refugees and immigrants in the face of xenophobic attitudes. “He apologized to the Sami people for the injustices committed against them, on behalf of everyone. He cried with us after the loss of so many loved ones in Utøya and the government district. He united us by expressing in words who we Norwegians are,” Haakon recalled, also defending a country with “room for everyone.”
Haakon VIII, with an explicit reference to the difficulties and image crisis affecting the Norwegian crown, recalled that his father always insisted that each family member should find their own way of doing things and be themselves. This reflection, after remembering his predecessors Haakon VII, Olav V, and Harald V, led him to proclaim: “Now it is my turn.”
The new king of Norway’s first message coincided with the 58th anniversary of his parents’ wedding and allowed him to highlight the role of his mother, Queen Sonia. “She helped make them a strong royal couple,” her son recalled.
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The message included words of thanks for the support received from his wife, Mette-Marit, his children, Ingrid and Sverre, and his sister, Marta Luisa. In case there was any doubt, Haakon VIII confirmed that the new queen consort will accompany him in this new stage. “Queen Mette-Marit and I wish to be present and listen,” extending the commitment to Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
The new king also pledged to defend a Norway based on democracy, law, equality, and a society “where there is room for everyone,” ending by proclaiming “May God protect our country.”
Haakon VIII’s message was broadcast from the Mirror Hall of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Behind the table from which the monarch spoke, another was placed with a series of family photographs, including one of Haakon and Mette Marit from a few years ago, with their children, Ingrid and Sverre, and Marius, the son the new Norwegian queen had before marrying, who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence (although he has been allowed to serve it under house arrest) for rape and abuse.
The King’s Speech
Dear all,
Yesterday morning, at 6:35, His Majesty King Harald V, my father, whom I loved so much, passed away.
We are in mourning. At the same time, it comforts and strengthens us to know that so many people share our pain. It has been a moving experience to see the Palace Square filled with people, flowers, greetings, and lights. Thank you very much.
Dear father, thank you for being such a good father to Marta and me. Loving and protective. You were also a loving and fun grandfather. A loving and attentive husband. A generous father-in-law. A brother and uncle with whom everyone was happy. You were the head of the family, who, together with my mother, welcomed us and united us all with a natural authority you may not even have been fully aware of. Above all, you were a person who always remained true to your values and commitments. You supported and cared for us all. I am proud to think of all that you both represented and defended.
I will miss you. I will miss your laughter. Your warmth in dealing with people and in every situation. My father always made those around him feel comfortable.
He knew how to listen, especially when dealing with children and young people, for whom he had a special affection.
The great and warm royal hand extended to all, young and old, who needed an extra handshake. He greeted everyone with respect and generosity and never discriminated against anyone.
He traveled to comfort those affected by the hurricane, dressed in a padded coat and rubber boots. He apologized to the Sami people for the injustices committed against them, on behalf of everyone. He cried with us after the loss of so many loved ones in Utøya and the government district. He united us by expressing in words who we Norwegians are.
I imagine him on the sailboat, with a cap, sunglasses, and a contagious laugh. A place where he could be himself, recharge, and enjoy to the fullest, competing with other passionate sailors.
And the photo of his big smile in the hammock in the Amazon, where he finally fulfilled his childhood dream of spending a few days with the Yanomami people. A dream born from his commitment to caring for animals and the world’s nature.
I know many of you will also miss much of this.
Throughout the country—and the world—thousands of people cherish memories of their encounters with him. Memories that will endure in their hearts and family stories.
As King, my father represented Norway and Norwegians with pride and joy. He did so through visits across the country, events here at the Palace, and working for Norway abroad.
On the cross-country stadium glacier.
On the Palace balcony on May 17.
During a State visit to Nelson Mandela.
It was also a great strength for him to have my mother, Queen Sonia, as a life partner with whom to share the work. She helped make them a strong royal couple who complemented each other perfectly. I know how much she meant to King Harald for her firm support in the work of his life. A work they shared. Today marks the 58th anniversary of their wedding. Happy anniversary, dear mother!
King Harald accompanied our country through a period of great changes. From when he stepped onto Rådhuskaia at just eight years old after returning from World War II, until today, Norway has experienced remarkable development. Today we are a welfare society where people of different backgrounds live together and support each other.
At the same time, the world is once again more insecure and unpredictable than during most of King Harald’s reign. Something that also affects us here in this country and has given us greater seriousness.
Now that my father has passed away, I have a great task ahead.
He constantly reminded us in the family that everyone should do things their own way. Find their own identity. Be themselves. He succeeded his father, King Olav, who in turn succeeded his father, King Haakon.
Now it is my turn.
I am deeply grateful to have my family around me and for the great support that Queen Mette-Marit and our children give me.
I would also like to thank my mother and sister for the strength they share as they themselves go through mourning the loss of a dear husband and father.
Our family has experienced the importance of staying united to be strong, both individually and in mutual support. Even in difficult times.
Our unity is a great strength for the work we will do for Norway.
After King Harald’s long and intense reign, it is now our turn to guide each other into a new era. Queen Mette-Marit and I want to be present and listen. The Queen, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and I will always strive to understand the living circumstances of different people.
Today no one knows what we will face together as those of us who live in this country. But what we do know is that we will support each other in both good and bad times.
We believe in a Norway firmly rooted in our history, in what has shaped us over time.
We believe in our popular government and democracy. We believe in a society based on law and justice, where everyone has the same value. A society where we recognize and value each person’s strengths so that together we can build a Norway where everyone can contribute and feel at home. We believe in a Norway where there is room for everyone. We will feel the strength of our community and know that we are one people.
Today I feel deep gratitude towards those who preceded me. They were all prominent figures in their time. They were loved, respected, and meant a lot to many. I have learned a lot from all of them. Like King Haakon, King Olav, and King Harald, I adopt the electoral motto: “All for Norway.”
“All for Norway” means fighting so that everyone in Norway has the opportunity to live a free life. It also implies the responsibility to ensure that, as a nation, we contribute positively to the world.
And that ultimately means being willing to risk everything, even life, for Norway’s freedom and independence. Because its peace is rooted. Today we are a mourning family, a mourning people. 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 ahead. I pray that we all unite in the ancient wish:
May God protect our country.
