King Haakon in his first address: "My dear father. Thank you for being such a good dad"
Photo: NTB
King Haakon VIII addressed the nation for the first time as monarch on Saturday evening, from the Mirror Hall at the Palace with his father’s portrait beside him. Earlier in the day he received three audiences of condolence together with Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
King Haakon VIII delivered his first address to the Norwegian people as monarch on Saturday evening. The speech was given from the Mirror Hall at the Royal Palace, with a portrait of his father King Harald standing on the table beside him.
King Haakon VIII gave his first address to the nation from the Mirror Hall at the Palace on Saturday evening. Photo: NTB
The King wore a dark suit and black tie. Behind him stood historical family photographs, and in front of him two candles burned beside his father's portrait. The address lasted eight minutes and 42 seconds.
• "My dear father"
The King opened by speaking of the death itself: "Dear everyone. Yesterday morning at 06.35, His Majesty King Harald V, my father, died."
He thanked the country for the sympathy that has poured in: "We are in mourning. At the same time, it gives comfort and strength that so many are grieving together with us."
Towards the end he turned directly to his father: "My dear father. Thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me. Warm and safe." He also described his father's role in the family: "You were the head of the family, and gathered us all with a natural authority."
"I am going to miss him," the King said, adding: "I will miss his laughter."
The address closed with the words "May God preserve our country". The King also made clear that he takes on the motto "Everything for Norway", which has followed the Norwegian royal house since Haakon VII arrived in the country in 1905, and which was also King Harald's.
Outside, thousands of people had gathered on the Palace Square. Many followed the address on their mobile phones, and when it ended they broke into applause.
• Three audiences of condolence
Earlier in the afternoon, the King received three of the country's most senior officials in audiences of condolence at the Palace. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra took part alongside him.
King Haakon received President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani in an audience of condolence. Photo: NTB
First came President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani, then Chief Justice Toril Marie Øie, and finally the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway, Olav Fykse Tveit. The audiences marked the meeting between the new monarch and the Storting, the courts and the church.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani and King Haakon VIII. Photo: NTB
Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway Olav Fykse Tveit in an audience of condolence with the King and the Crown Princess. Photo: NTB
• The oath before the Storting on Tuesday
On Tuesday, King Haakon takes the oath before the Storting, as the Constitution requires of a new monarch. A blessing ceremony in Nidaros Cathedral is expected later, as both King Olav and King Harald were blessed there after their accessions.
RoyMob will continue to follow the mourning ceremonies in the days ahead.