Norway, in mourning, enters a new era under King Haakon VIII

Oslo (AFP) – Norway on Saturday opened a new chapter in its history under King Haakon VIII, who was due to give a memorial speech a day after the death the previous day of his 89-year-old father King Harald.

Issued on: 29/08/2026 - 14:42

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The palace said the monarch's "memorial speech" would be broadcast at 7:00 pm (1700GMT). Flags flew at half-mast as scores of Norwegians kept turning up at the Royal Palace in Oslo, where mountains of flowers already lay on the ground after more than 20,000 people paid their respects Friday to the late king, who had served 35 years on the throne.Tributes also poured in from European monarchies and world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who hailed the memory of "a strong, proud, and greatly respected man". "Everyone is sad, and the king was a man whom everyone respected. A fine man, so I think everyone feels a bit down today," Anne Lobbe, 35, told AFP outside the palace early Saturday.King Haakon was due to hold audiences later in the day with the leaders of the Church of Norway, parliament and supreme court.

Norway, in mourning, enters a new era under King Haakon VIII

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