King Haakon's first call: A 'good and close' conversation

Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII, made his first official act by calling Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre just 25 minutes after his father, King Harald, passed away. The conversation, described by Støre as "good and close," centered on the personal grief of losing a father.

Støre, who lost his own father in 2017, told Aftenposten that the phone call made it clear to him what the conversation would be about. He had already canceled a planned trip to Germany the day before due to King Harald's declining health, sensing that the 89-year-old monarch might not live much longer.

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It was King Haakon who called and informed me about what had happened. And then we had a good and close conversation about the personal aspects of losing a father.

Parliamentary speaker Masud Gharahkhani also received a call from the new king. He acknowledged the difficulty of the news but recognized it as part of their roles to inform each other. King Haakon then met with the government for an extraordinary council at the palace, where his official title and motto, "Allt för Norge" (All for Norway), were announced.

Following tradition, King Haakon is expected to deliver a speech to the nation soon, mirroring the actions of his father, King Olav V, who addressed the country the day after his father's death in 1991. The nation now awaits King Haakon's first address, anticipating his leadership style.

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It is of course very difficult to receive that message from our new king. These are our roles, and we must inform each other. But regardless of plans, one is never prepared for a day like this.