King Haakon VIII of Norway Honors Late Father King Harald in First Address

King Haakon VIII of Norway honored his late father, King Harald, in his first address to the nation since becoming sovereign. In a recorded televised speech, Haakon described Harald as 'such a good dad' and expressed his emotions while mentioning his widowed mother, Queen Sonja. King Harald passed away at the age of 89 on Friday. Haakon, dressed in formal attire, praised his father as a warm family man and shared his personal feelings of loss, stating, 'I am going to miss him. I am going to miss his laughter.' He noted that Saturday would have marked the 58th wedding anniversary of Harald and Queen Sonja, acknowledging his mother with a heartfelt message. Haakon emphasized his commitment to governing in his own way, similar to his father, and reiterated the principles of Norway's constitutional monarchy, which he will uphold through an oath in parliament. He affirmed the values of democracy and the rule of law, stating, 'We believe in a society built on the rule of law — where every individual has equal worth.' Following his speech, mourners gathered outside the palace to pay their respects, applauding the address. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere remarked on Haakon's shared qualities with his father, highlighting his ability to foster a sense of togetherness. Since Harald's passing, thousands have visited the royal palace to pay their respects, with flags at half-mast and portraits of the late king displayed throughout the country. Mourners expressed their gratitude for Harald's spirit of inclusiveness, with one individual noting the late king's impact on immigrants in Norway. Another mourner referenced a viral speech by Harald from 2016 that emphasized acceptance and love among all Norwegians.