Memorial Sunday
Norway's new King Haakon VIII attended a memorial service Sunday, as churches across the Scandinavian kingdom paid tribute to his father, King Harald, who passed away two days earlier. Members of the public lined up to catch a glimpse of the new 53-year-old king outside the church of Asker, just south of the capital.
King Haakon arrived together with his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and son, Prince Sverre Magnus, as well as the late king's wife, Queen Sonja. Haakon's wife Queen Mette-Marit, who suffers from a serious lung disease, did not attend as she is still recovering from a lung transplant carried out in June.
The late king enjoyed massive support despite the slew of scandals that dogged his family in the final stretch of his 35-year reign. A national period of mourning has been declared. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told public broadcaster NRK Sunday that "we will lay the king to rest in the week after next", meaning the week starting September 7.
Deeply affected
Memorial services were planned in churches across the country, and outside Oslo Cathedral, hundreds started lining up in the morning to try and get a seat.
Standing in line, Aud Ragnhild Skar, a lecturer at the University of Oslo, told AFP that it felt "natural" to take part in the service. "I've been deeply affected by the fact that King Harald has died. I felt a desire to be part of the community and to share the grief over his passing."
In a sermon, Bishop Sunniva Gylver highlighted King Harald's ability to bring comfort in a world facing wars, climate change and increased polarisation. "King Harald highlighted several of these challenges in his speeches to us, and through that gave us occasions to talk together about big and important things."
On Tuesday, King Haakon will swear an oath of allegiance in parliament. King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit are not expected to be ceremonially crowned as Norway abolished coronations in 1908, but Haakon could opt for a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral.
"Above all, you were a person who remained committed to your values and dedicated to your duties," Haakon said of his father in his first public speech broadcast Saturday. "We greatly mourn his loss. At the same time, it gives us consolation and strength to know that there are so many who are grieving with us."