Your Majesty,
Your Royal Highness
Queen Sonja,
Prince Sverre Magnus,

Our dearly beloved King, His Majesty King Harald V, has passed away.

The entire nation is mourning the loss of a monarch who served his country dutifully, with great courage and a warmth for 35 years.

King Harald embodied the very best of Norway.

In this time of sorrow, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the entire Royal Family.

The sea of flowers we see across the country today speaks of one thing: Love.

It is the Norwegian people’s thank you to a King whom we loved so dearly.

Like his father, King Olav, King Harald upheld the royal motto “We give our all for Norway.”

He was an unwavering defender of the Constitution and of our democracy. For the Norwegian people, he was a symbol of security, continuity and fellowship.

King Harald was also an innovator. He was bold.

In many ways, he carried forward the values that King Olav stood for. But in his own, unique way, he also broke new ground.

As Norwegian society changed, the King changed with us.

He chose love.

Together with Queen Sonja, he showed that the Royal Household could also evolve with the times, while remaining firmly rooted in its traditions and values.

And the openness King Harald and Queen Sonja have shown to the Norwegian people through a long life is unique.

King Harald was a unifying and inclusive King for a modern Norway.

He often led by example and opened doors for others. He was never out of step with the democracy he had pledged to serve.

The speech he made in the Palace Park about Norway’s diversity exactly 10 years ago today is still hugely important for many people.

He championed the values that underpin our liberal democracy. He showed us what human dignity means in practice.

Compassion was the at the heart of his message.

In good times as well as in times of sorrow.

He reminded us of what really matters: that we as a nation must be there for each other.

In this way, duty and his close connection with the Norwegian people went hand in hand.

King Harald’s love for the nation and its people shaped everything he did.

When it mattered most, he demonstrated the deeply human qualities that made him the people’s King.

He was a King.

And he was a fellow human being.

In a democracy, a king must be in touch with his people. King Harald had learnt from those who went before him.

It became his guiding principle. For those who follow him, it is a legacy to cherish and uphold.

It was easy to love King Harald.

Which is why it is so unbearably hard to say goodbye.

Since receiving the news of the King’s death, the Norwegian people have gathered together in mourning.

The stories now being shared everywhere bear powerful and heartfelt testament to his unique position in our hearts.

A beloved, bold and innovative monarch has left us.

But his legacy lives on.

In our democracy.

In our openness.

In our trust in one another.

And in the sense of security he gave to an entire people over 35 years.

King Harald was a king for all of Norway.

Norway is a better country because of his leadership.

For that, we shall be forever grateful.

Peace be on King Harald’s memory.

One minute’s silence in King Harald V’s eternal honour.