King Haakon VIII Honors Father’s Legacy in First Speech

Sun Sep 06 2026 07:44:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In his inaugural address, Norway’s new king Haakon VIII paid a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Harald V, marking a poignant moment of national mourning and unity.

King Haakon VIII marked his accession by delivering a deeply emotional speech, thanking his late father Harald V for his love and guidance. He emphasized the importance of national unity, and reflected on the royal family’s values and solidarity amid recent scandals. The address featured tributes from the public, quiet national mourning, and the king’s reaffirmation of his commitment to uphold law and justice. With a forthcoming oath in parliament, Haakon vows to lead Norway through both calm and challenging times.

King Haakon VIII Honors Father’s Legacy in First Speech

In a televised address from Norway’s royal palace, 53‑year‑old King Haakon VIII opened his reign by recalling his late father, King Harald V, who passed away on Friday morning after treatment for a rare blood condition. “Thank you for being such a good dad,” Haakon said with a moment of quiet emotion, sitting beside a portrait of Harald, two lit candles, and a bowl of white roses.

Haakon reflected on Harald’s 35‑year reign, describing him as a moderniser and “people’s king.” He praised Harald’s role as a good father to his siblings, a warm grandfather to six grandchildren and a loving husband to Queen Sonja. The king noted that Saturday would have been Harald’s 58th wedding anniversary, adding a touch of personal sadness to the national mourning.

The speech was steeped in messages of solidarity and unity. Haakon declared that the royal family stands for a society “built on law and justice, where everyone is of equal value.” He called for collective resilience, reminding Norwegians that the monarchy “needs to stand by one another through both good days and difficult ones.”

Haakon also highlighted the nation’s shared grief, noting thousands of citizens gathering outside Oslo’s royal palace with flowers, candles and tributes. The king’s words were amplified by the presence of Parliament’s Monday oath ceremony where he will swear allegiance, and later by a modest coronation‑style service with his wife, Queen Mette‑Marit.

Despite recent controversies surrounding the royal household—including questions about Queen Mette‑Marit’s past associations, her ongoing health challenges, and briefings on her son Marius Borg Høiby’s legal troubles—Haakon kept his address focused on unity and responsibility. He emphasized a commitment to understanding varied life situations and reaffirmed that the monarchy remains a stabilising presence.

The late King Harald was a popular figure; a recent poll shows that support for the monarchy has fallen to 54 % from 72 % last year. However, royal experts regard Haakon as respectable, hardworking, and capable of steering the institution through turbulence.