King Haakon's Speech: A Tribute to His Father, King Harald V

In a deeply moving address, Norway's King Haakon spoke of his profound grief following the death of his father, His Majesty King Harald V. "We are in mourning," he stated, acknowledging the immense public outpouring of support, which he described as a "strong and touching experience" to witness the Royal Palace Square filled with people, flowers, and messages of condolence.

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We are in mourning. At the same time, it provides comfort and strength that so many mourn with us. It has been a strong and touching experience to see the Royal Palace Square filled with people, flowers, greetings and lights. Thank you very much.

King Haakon fondly remembered his father not only as a monarch but as a warm and secure parent to Märtha and himself, a "jovial and funny" grandfather, and a "loving and thoughtful" husband to Queen Sonja. He recalled King Harald's natural authority as the head of the family and his unwavering commitment to his values and obligations. The King expressed pride in his father's resilience and his dedication to standing up for what he believed in, noting that his father always made people around him feel at ease.

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My father, thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me. Warm and safe. You were also a jovial and funny grandfather. A loving and thoughtful husband. A generous father-in-law. A brother and uncle whom everyone loved to be with.

"He was a good listener," King Haakon continued, emphasizing his father's particular warmth towards children and young people. He recounted how King Harald offered comfort with a "large, warm king's hand" to those needing an extra handshake, treating everyone with respect and generosity, and never discriminating. The King cited examples of his father's compassion, such as traveling to comfort victims of hurricanes in a "bubble jacket and rubber boots" and apologizing to the Sámi people for past injustices on behalf of all Norwegians. He also remembered King Harald weeping with the nation after the Utøya massacre and government bombing.

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He was a good listener. Especially when meeting children and young people – for whom he had an extra room in his heart.

King Haakon painted a picture of his father's personal joys, envisioning him on his sailboat, "with a cap, sunglasses, and booming laughter," and in a hammock in the Amazon fulfilling a lifelong dream to live among the Yanomami people, a dream stemming from his commitment to protecting nature. He acknowledged that "thousands of people across the country and around the world" would share these memories. The King also paid tribute to Queen Sonja, his mother, calling her a "life partner" who shared his father's "work" and complemented him, making them a "strong royal couple." He noted that their 58th wedding anniversary fell on that day, offering her congratulations.

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He met everyone with respect and generosity – and never made distinctions between people.