DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Norway mourns King Harald V as crowds gather at royal palace

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Norwegians are gathering at the royal palace to mourn King Harald V, who died Friday at age 89, remembering his spirit of inclusiveness.
  • The late monarch, Europe's oldest, was praised for his tolerance, notably in a 2016 speech about inclusivity.
  • His son, Crown Prince Haakon, immediately ascended the throne as King Haakon VIII and is expected to address the nation soon.

Crowds gathered at Norway's royal palace on Saturday to bid farewell to King Harald V, remembering his legacy of inclusiveness and tolerance. The 89-year-old monarch, Europe's oldest, passed away on Friday, marking the end of a reign that spanned over three decades. His death has prompted a period of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and portraits of the late king displayed across the country.

Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys and girls and boys who love each other.

— King Harald VFrom a 2016 speech that exemplified his spirit of inclusiveness, as remembered by mourners.

Well-wishers recalled King Harald's commitment to inclusivity, often referencing a powerful 2016 speech that gained international attention. In the speech, he stated, "Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys and girls and boys who love each other." This sentiment resonated deeply with many, who saw it as a reflection of his desire for mutual respect and acceptance among Norwegians.

It embodies the way he felt about people and the way he wanted us ​Norwegians to feel about ​each other.

— Mari EidsvaagA well-wisher describing the impact of King Harald's speech on inclusivity.

As the nation mourned, the royal succession proceeded without delay. Harald's 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, became King Haakon VIII the moment his father passed. The new king is expected to deliver a televised address to the nation and will formally take the oath to defend Norway's constitution and laws before parliament on Tuesday.

I think it’s a ​very important statement, especially these days.

— Mari EidsvaagA well-wisher reflecting on the continued relevance of King Harald's message of tolerance.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog