Norway bids farewell to King Harald V.

In Norway, after the death of King Harald V, everything is in mourning. While countless people once again flocked to Palace Square to leave flowers and letters for the monarch, the royal family attended a memorial service together in the church in Asker in the immediate vicinity of their home at Skaugum Castle. It must have been a difficult day for the new King Haakon VIII (53), his children Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (22) and Prince Sverre Magnus (20) and his mother, Queen Sonja (89).

Only the new queen Mette-Marit (53) was not there for health reasons. She got new lungs in the summer and still has to take it easy. The court announced that Mette-Marit would be present at some other program items after Harald's death.

Harald's widow received a comforting hug from the priest upon arrival at the church. Television cameras were taboo during the service, but 400 guests were allowed to attend the memorial service.

Vincent Jebsen had been waiting in front of the church since eight in the morning. “King Harald meant a lot to me and I live here in Asker, so this is my church,” said the 82-year-old. "But above all, I'm here because King Harald was such a fantastic person, a pioneer in many ways when it comes to an open society and including everyone."

After the service, visitor Elisabeth Stolpe could hardly hold back her tears. “It was full of sadness, and beautiful, and filled me with hope. “I almost start crying again,” said the 86-year-old. She is something of a local icon, born and raised in Asker. The royal family means a lot to her.

Anita Graff Lonnevig and Per Sandbrekke were also visibly moved after the memorial service. “Everyone sang so beautifully for the royal family who were sitting in the front row,” said Anita Graff Lonnevig. The king will be “deeply missed,” added Sandbrekke. “But we will also get a good new one.”

Since his father's death on Friday morning, Haakon VIII has been the new King of Norway. On Saturday evening he gave a moving and very personal first speech as monarch on Norwegian television.

In it he thanked his father for being “such a good dad”. He described Harald as a humorous grandfather and loving husband. Everyone enjoyed being with Harald. “I will miss him,” the 53-year-old said about his father. «I will miss his laugh. His warm-hearted, cheerful way of approaching people and situations.”

Not only in Asker, but also in many other places in the country, people commemorated their deceased monarch in church services on Sunday, whom many referred to as the “grandfather” of all of Norway in those days. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced on Sunday that Harald would be buried in week 37 - he did not give an exact date. Before that, Norwegians will have the opportunity at certain times to slowly walk past his coffin in the Oslo Palace Chapel.

At the same time, Haakon takes his first steps as the new king. On Tuesday he will take an oath to the constitution in the Norwegian parliament. The Norwegian population can watch this live on television.

There is no longer a classic coronation ceremony in Norway. Harald's father, King Olav V, introduced a new blessing ceremony in 1958, which Harald and his wife, Queen Sonja, continued in 1991. Accordingly, a similar ceremony is expected now. The blessing is traditionally followed by a trip through Norway.