Oslo: Norway is mourning the death of King Harald V, with tens of thousands of people gathering in Oslo to pay their respects to the monarch who died at the age of 89 after 35 years on the throne.
Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 6:35 a.m. on Friday, August 28, according to the Norwegian Royal Court. His death brought an end to a 35 year reign during which he became widely known as a steady and approachable monarch who helped give the Norwegian royal family a more modern and open image.
Flowers and condolence messages have gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo. People have continued to arrive to remember the late king, while churches and city halls across Norway have opened to allow people to light candles and sign condolence books.
The national mourning has also been visible across Norway. Flags are flying at half mast at royal residences, government buildings and military bases.
Harald's coffin was taken from Oslo University Hospital to the Royal Palace on Friday evening. The public will have an opportunity to pay their respects in the Palace Chapel. Details of the arrangements for public viewing have not yet been announced.
The date of the funeral has also not yet been announced.
While Norway mourns Harald, the country has already entered a new royal era. His 53 year old son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeded him as king immediately after his death. He has taken the name King Haakon VIII.
Haakon formally announced his accession during an extraordinary meeting of the Norwegian government on Friday. He also said he would continue the royal motto used by his father, grandfather and great grandfather, "All for Norway".
His wife is now Queen Mette Marit, while their eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, has become Crown Princess and heir to the throne.
Haakon is expected to address the Norwegian people in the coming days. He will also take the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution before the Norwegian parliament, known as the Storting, on Tuesday, September 1, at 1 p.m.
The ceremony will mark an important constitutional step in the beginning of his reign. Norway is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the powers of the monarch are limited and regulated by the country's Constitution and laws.
On Saturday, Haakon is scheduled to receive senior officials for condolence audiences, including the President of the Storting, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Preses of the Church of Norway. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra is also scheduled to attend.
Harald became king in January 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V. He remained on the throne for 35 years and was Europe's oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death.
During his reign, Harald was seen as a symbol of continuity and stability. He also helped give the Norwegian monarchy a more modern and open image.
Together with Queen Sonja, whom he married in 1968, Harald helped give the Norwegian monarchy a more open and approachable image. He was also known for speaking about inclusion and equality.
In 2016, Harald delivered a widely discussed speech about Norwegian identity, diversity and inclusion. He spoke about people from different backgrounds and religions and about people of different sexual orientations as part of Norwegian society.
Harald's death has prompted tributes from Norwegian political leaders and other European royal families. Norwegian officials have described him as a unifying figure who served the country with warmth, dignity and a strong sense of duty.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, with political power exercised through its elected institutions while the monarch serves as head of state.
For many Norwegians, the transition is taking place alongside mourning for a king who was a familiar public figure for decades. Flowers and condolence messages continue to gather outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.
King Haakon VIII has already begun his duties as monarch and is due to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution before the Storting on September 1.