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Condolence Audiences at the Royal Palace

Prior to formal public memorial announcements, King Haakon, accompanied by Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, held the traditional first condolence audiences at the Royal Palace in Oslo. The newly acceded monarch met briefly with major institutional leaders, including the Speaker of Parliament, Masoud Gharahkhani; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Toril Marie Øie; and the President of the Church of Norway, Olav Fykse Tveit.

These formal meetings represent a constitutional and traditional custom associated with the change of throne, marking the state’s acknowledgment of the transition from the late King Harald V to King Haakon VIII. Following the audiences, the new monarch and Crown Princess approached King Harald’s coffin where it rested in the Royal Palace. Queen Mette-Marit and Prince Sverre Magnus arrived slightly later to pay their respects during the lying-in-state, as noted by local press coverage.

Upcoming Regional Memorial Services in Norway

The Church of Norway has scheduled a series of public memorial services to honor the late monarch. While an official state funeral has not yet been announced, services will be held across various locations in the country on Sunday.

King Haakon, Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus are scheduled to attend an 11:00 a.m. ceremony at Asker Church. The venue, situated close to Skaugum Palace, serves as a regular location for the Royal Family’s religious services. Princess Märtha Louise is also understood to be in attendance alongside her daughters—Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora, and Emma Tallulah—after previously accompanying Queen Sonja during the funeral procession to Oslo Palace.

Notable absences from the Asker ceremony include Queen Mette-Marit and Durek Verrett. According to a statement released by the Royal Court, Queen Mette-Marit continues her limited participation in official events as she recovers from a lung transplant undergone in June. Durek Verrett will similarly miss the service while recovering from a recent kidney transplant.

King Haakon’s First Speech and Tribute to King Harald

In his first formal address as monarch, King Haakon delivered an emotional tribute to his late father, reflecting on his role both within the state and inside the family home. The new King addressed his father directly during the speech:

“My dear father. Thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me. Warm and safe. Then you were a warm and funny grandfather. A loving and caring husband. A brother and uncle who was so loved by so many. You were the head of the family, and brought us all together with a natural authority, which you may not have been aware of yourself.”

King Haakon shared that he would miss his father’s laugh and expressed deep pride in the principles King Harald upheld throughout his reign. Toward the conclusion of the address, the monarch grew visibly emotional while acknowledging his mother, stating, “Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, dear mother.”

Context of King Harald’s Passing

King Harald passed away peacefully on Friday, August 28, at 6:35 a.m. at the National Hospital, according to the official Palace statement. The late monarch had been hospitalized since August 17 due to hemolytic anemia, a condition that deteriorated into a critical state in his final days. Farewell ceremonies and public mourning periods continue across Norway as the nation processes the historic shift in the royal household.