Norway's New King Haakon Meets Government at Extraordinary Council

Norway's new King Haakon is set to meet the government at an extraordinary state council at the Royal Palace in Oslo. The meeting, scheduled for Friday at 11:30 AM, follows the announcement of the death of King Harald V.

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An entire nation mourns and at the same time stands in strong gratitude for a long life devoted to Norway.

During the council, the government will officially meet the new King Haakon. A key moment will be the announcement of his chosen motto, a short phrase or sentence that embodies his values and ideals. King Harald V used "Alt for Norge" (All for Norway), the same motto as his father and grandfather. In comparison, Denmark's King Frederik uses "Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark" (Connected, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark).

Queen Mette-Marit, King Haakon's wife, will also attend the state council. Following the council, the new king will receive Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in audience. Støre expressed "deep sorrow" upon hearing of King Harald's death, stating that "an entire nation mourns and at the same time stands in strong gratitude for a long life devoted to Norway." He added that through his reign of over three decades, Harald V showed "unwavering faith in the Norwegian people" and helped Norwegians "see the best in ourselves – and in each other."

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Through more than three decades as king, Harald V showed unwavering faith in the Norwegian people.

King Harald V was hospitalized on August 17 and treated for hemolytic anemia, a blood disorder, and a bacterial blood infection. With his death, the heir to the throne, Haakon, automatically becomes Norway's new head of state and monarch.

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He helped us see the best in ourselves – and in each other.