UPDATED: Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called in his government just hours after the death of King Harald V early Friday morning. After a special session in his office they all headed to the Royal Palace for an extraordinary Council of State led by Norway’s new king, Haakon VIII. The meetings follow the death of King Harald V early Friday morning.
“An entire nation is mourning,” stated Støre, “but at the same time stands together with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway.” He was referring to the late King Harald’s life, first as heir to the throne, followed by 35 years as monarch before his death on Friday at the age of 89.
“King Harald found the words to bind us together when we needed them the most,” Støre said. “He grieved with us after the (terrorist) attacks on the 22nd of July 2011. He cheered with us when Norwegian athletes excelled. And he guided us, with warmth, wisdom and openness, towards a society with a place for everyone. King Harald had a profound love for Norway. And Norway had a profound love for King Harald.”
Norway’s new Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra joined her father at the Council of State with the government. King Haakon VIII adopted the same motto as his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Alt for Norge (Everything for Norway), with Støre commenting that the former crown prince already has lots of experience from working alongside his father. “He’s unusually well-prepared for the role, wise and well-educated,” Støre said at a press conference following the extraordinary Council of State, at which King Haakon also announced that his mother will retain her title as Queen Sonja, while his wife has now become Queen Mette-Marit.
After the government’s meeting with King Harald’s son and heir to the throne, Støre and his ministers all signed a condolence protocol that also will be laid out at the palace. Church bells rang all over the country at noon while a 21-gun salute was fired from fortresses in Norwegian cities including Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen. Flags had already been ordered lowered to half-mast at all public buildings both at home and abroad, and will remain so until after King Harald’s funeral.
No funeral date has been announced. Tradition calls for a funeral procession from the palace to the Oslo Cathedral, followed by another procession to the historic Akerhus Fortress and Castle. That’s where Norway’s kings and queens have traditionally been laid to rest in the royal mausoleum under the castle’s church that dates from the 1300s. That ceremony is usually private and reserved for royal family members and friends.
Before that, King Harald’s body was due to be moved in a procession Friday evening from the chapel at the national hospital to the chapel inside the Royal Palace. There it will made available for public viewing until the funeral is held sometime within the next two weeks.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
