Norway Opens A New Chapter In History As King Haakon VIII Takes Charge
Norway has entered a period of national mourning following the death of King Harald at age 89. His son, King Haakon VIII, has assumed the throne and is preparing to swear an oath of allegiance to parliament.
Why it matters
The transition of power in a stable European monarchy is a significant geopolitical event, marking the end of a 35-year reign.
Norway on Saturday opened a new chapter in its history under King Haakon VIII, who was due to give a memorial speech a day after the death the previous day of his 89-year-old father King Harald.The palace said the monarch's "memorial speech" would be broadcast at 7:00 pm (1700GMT).Flags flew at half-mast as scores of Norwegians kept turning up at the Royal Palace in Oslo, where mountains of flowers already lay on the ground after more than 20,000 people paid their respects Friday to the late king, who had served 35 years on the throne.Tributes also poured in from European monarchies and world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who hailed the memory of "a strong, proud, and greatly respected man"."Everyone is sad, and the king was a man whom everyone respected.
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