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King Haakon VIII tells Norway 'now it is my turn' in emotional first speech beside his father's lying-in-state

King Haakon VIII, now 53, vowed to be 'present and attentive' and declared unity his central mission as his daughter Ingrid Alexandra became heir to the Norwegian throne.
King Haakon VIII, now 53, vowed to be 'present and attentive' and declared unity his central mission as his daughter Ingrid Alexandra became heir to the Norwegian throne.
Tens of thousands of Norwegians brought flowers to Slottsplassen square as King Haakon VIII adopted the motto 'All for Norway', inherited from his great-grandfather.
Tens of thousands of Norwegians brought flowers to Slottsplassen square as King Haakon VIII adopted the motto 'All for Norway', inherited from his great-grandfather.

King Haakon VIII delivered his first address as Norway's monarch on Saturday, speaking live from the Royal Palace in Oslo, where his father Harald V lies in state. Overcome with emotion, he thanked Harald for being 'such a good dad' and observed that Saturday marked what would have been his parents' 58th wedding anniversary. Haakon, 53, vowed to be 'present and attentive' and described unity as his central mission, declaring that the royal family believes in 'a society built on law and justice, where everyone is of equal value'. Harald V, a cousin of King Charles III and the oldest reigning monarch in Europe, passed away on Friday at the age of 89 following treatment for a rare blood disorder.

Tens of thousands of Norwegians brought flowers to Slottsplassen square outside the Royal Palace; palace staff worked to dry condolence cards that had been soaked by heavy overnight rain, salvaging the tributes left by well-wishers.

Haakon took on the motto 'All for Norway', inherited from his great-grandfather, while his daughter Ingrid Alexandra assumed the title of Crown Princess and heir — making her a potential candidate to become Norway's first female monarch in more than 600 years.

The new king faces the immediate task of shoring up public support for the monarchy amid scrutiny over Queen Mette-Marit's past Epstein contacts and her son Marius Borg Høiby's rape conviction.

MoreDaily Mail NewsKing Haakon VIII takes the throne in Norway amid outpouring of grief following death of Harald V - as Epstein links cast shadow over new royal familyThe IndependentNorwegians line up at churches for emotional memorials remembering the late King Harald VThe TelegraphNorway’s new king pays emotional tribute to his fatherDaily MailNorway's new king addresses nation for first time after taking throneBBC NewsNorway's new king remembers 'my dear father' in first speechThe IndependentKing Harald V death: Tens of thousands mourn as Norway enters a new royal eraDaily MailMourning Norwegians lay sea of flowers outside Oslo's RoyalNY PostNorway's King Haakon honors 'dear father' Harald in first speech as new kingAPTens of thousands mourn King Harald V in Oslo as Norway enters a new royal eraFox NewsNorway's King Harald dies peacefully at 89, son Crown Prince Haakon to succeed himThe HeraldTens of thousands pay tribute as Norway mourns King Harald V
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