Oslo residents offer comfort to Norwegians amid 'waiting grief' for King Harald

Outside the royal palace in Oslo, Line Bakke and Annkristin Grønbakken walk back and forth. They are deployed to comfort a Norwegian people who have entered "waiting grief."

"Yes, waiting grief is a fitting expression for what we feel is happening now," says Line Bakke. "One could also say that a spiritualization is taking place, with all the flowers and greetings," adds Annkristin Grønbakken. Both are deacons in the Church of Norway and were sent to the palace grounds by the dean of Oslo.

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Yes, waiting grief is a fitting expression for what we feel is happening now.

"We have our three-hour shift now, then we will be back again tomorrow morning, mostly to be visible if anyone wants to talk," says Annkristin Grønbakken. They received their assignment on Thursday, after the royal house announced at nine in the morning that King Harald's health had seriously worsened. Still at eight in the evening, many people were gathered in front of a growing sea of flowers.

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One could also say that a spiritualization is taking place, with all the flowers and greetings.

"People need to come here and show what they feel. We hear them say that it's nice that we are here, but so far, everyone we've met is gathered," says Line Bakke. They speak of what many others are doing in Oslo this day, as the city seems to pause. "The King has become like everyone's grandfather."

Neither deacon has met King Harald personally. "But he can still feel private for many. He is so popular, he says the right things. Now he has also been so open about his illness, about sepsis and other things," says Line Bakke. "An inclusive king," says Annkristin Grønbakken. She mentions the New Year's speeches, and the one the King gave in the cathedral a few days after the Utøya massacre in 2011. "He has sounded almost like a deacon, speaking of inclusion and so on. And after Utøya, we felt that he had love for all of us. It's not easy to show when you have such a role."

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People need to come here and show what they feel. We hear them say that it's nice that we are here, but so far, everyone we've met is gathered.

"And the humor!" continues Line Bakke. "Despite serious situations, he has been able to smile and made people relax. I think that's why we've developed a kind of close relationship even though we've only seen him from that balcony." She looks towards the still-empty balcony as people continue to watch below it. "And there have never been any scandals around him either," says Annkristin Grønbakken.

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The King has become like everyone's grandfather.