Photo: The Royal Court. Archive photograph.
King Haakon's first journey: meeting the 91-year-old who survived the bombs
In a full storm with a yellow weather warning, King Haakon travelled to Narvik on his first official journey around the country as king. The first stop was at the home of Magne Øymo, who was five when the bombs fell on Bjerkvik.
King Haakon has begun his first official journey around the country as king. On Tuesday he travelled to Narvik, in wind and rain. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute had issued a yellow warning for gusts of 25 to 30 metres per second.
At Magne's home
The day began in Bjerkvik, at the home of Magne Øymo. He is 91 and survived the British bombardment of the village in May 1940.
"It is a great honour for a 91-year-old to be visited by a king", Øymo said.
"When many of us share the sorrow"
From Bjerkvik the King went on into central Narvik, where the municipality had invited the public to an event on the town hall square. There he gave a speech.
It is barely two months since King Harald died, and the King thanked people for the support the family has received. "When many of us share the sorrow, it becomes easier to bear", he said.
Among those waiting in the bad weather was a group of nursery children. To one of them the King said: "You really are freezing."
The War Museum and preparedness
After the event on the town hall square the King visited the War Museum in Narvik, and then followed a civil preparedness exercise.
On Tuesday evening he travels further north. Next is the Ranger Battalion in Sør-Varanger, the unit that patrols the border with Russia. On Wednesday he visits the Finnmark Brigade's headquarters at Porsangmoen.
King Harald reached almost every Norwegian municipality during his 35 years on the throne. With Narvik, King Haakon has begun his own round.