King Haakon VIII receives condolences for death of King Harald V

King Haakon VIII of Norway formally received condolences from Masud Gharahkhani, the President of the Storting (Norwegian Parliament), at the Royal Palace on August 29, 2026. The audience was held following the death of Haakon's father, King Harald V, who passed away the previous day at the age of 89.

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra also attended the audience, standing alongside the new king to receive the parliamentary president, who holds the second-highest rank in Norway. Gharahkhani expressed deep sorrow over the monarch's passing, stating, "A captain has left us. The Norwegian people unite in grief for the loss of a king who was at the helm for 35 years."

In addition to Gharahkhani, the President of the Supreme Court, Toril Marie Øie, and the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway, Olav Fykse Tveit, were also invited to separate audiences to convey their condolences to the new king. All three signed the condolence book at the Royal Palace before meeting with Haakon VIII.

King Harald V died at 6:35 AM local time on August 28 at Oslo's National Hospital, where he had been admitted on August 17. His hospitalization was initially due to anemia, but his condition worsened due to a blood infection, and his state was described as "very serious" on August 27.

The coffin of the late monarch, who was Europe's longest-reigning king, arrived at the Royal Palace well after 7:00 PM local time on August 28. It was transferred from the National Hospital amidst the anticipation of many people who lined the route to witness the funeral car's passage, despite persistent rain.

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A captain has left us. The Norwegian people unite in grief for the loss of a king who was at the helm for 35 years.