Norway’s King, His Majesty King Harald V, passed away today, 28^th, at 6.35 am.

A captain has left us. The Norwegian people stand united in mourning over the loss of a king who was at the helm for 35 years.

The Storting has received the news of the King’s death with deep sorrow.

King Harald V was born into a world of great responsibility. His birth, on 21^st February 1937, was a historic occasion.

He was the first prince born in Norway for 567 years. After the people had elected his grandfather, Haakon VII, as king in 1905.

King Harald succeeded his father, Olav V, to the throne in 1991, and was an upholder of continuity and reliability.

Like his father and his grandfather before him, King Harald was the people’s king in a society grounded in democracy and the Constitution. A protector of our fundamental values.

The will of the people was the will of King Harald.

He followed his motto in word and deed: “We give our all for Norway”.

King Harald was also a bold and innovative monarch.

He modernized the role of the king in keeping with the times. And he took the monarchy and the Royal Family forward in a period of huge change.

Together with Queen Sonja, he did more than just open the doors of the Palace to the public. He also opened Norway’s gates to the world.

King Harald himself was deeply affected by the challenges facing a monarchy in a modern society. He had to fight long and hard to marry the woman he loved.

So by the time Crown Prince Haakon was to choose his life partner, King Harald and Queen Sonja had already paved the way.

Nothing is greater than two people’s love for each other. For a king and a crown prince as for anyone else.

King Harald was easy to like. The thousands of people all over the country who met him can bear testimony to that.

King Harald’s infectious laughter and sense of humour found a place in the otherwise serious responsibility he bore.

He let his personality fill the role of king, rather than allowing the role to fill his personality.

Perhaps King Harald’s greatest quality as a monarch was the genuine warmth and interest he showed when meeting people.

He valued each and every one; his warmth and kindness were hugely important to those he met.

There are countless people all over the country for whom meeting and speaking to the King was a memory for life. For some of these people, it was also a turning point.

King Harald’s visits to places affected by floods or other accidents eased the pain in trying times.

King Harald’s warmth and consideration touched the hearts of many – both at home and abroad. No more so than when he used his voice to underline that Norwegians are a diverse people, and that in Norway there is room to be whatever you want.

King Harald’s love for the people touched the entire nation.

When the country was in national mourning after the terrorist attacks on 22^nd July 2011, he put into words what unimaginable pain it is to lose someone:

“As a father, grandfather and husband, I can only imagine the depth of your pain. As the King of this nation, I feel for each and every one of you.”

With tears in his eyes, he showed us his own grief.

Just as he was with us on happier occasions, King Harald also shared our difficult times.

As a king and as a fellow human being.

In this way, King Harald gave his all for Norway.

Despite his advanced age and trying times for the Royal Family, King Harald was an active king until the very last.

He showed that duty and compassion can go hand in hand. He carried out his duties with the same calmness, warmth and dignity that marked his reign.

At the same time, he was open about the challenges he faced, and stressed how important it was to stand together and support one another in difficult times.

King Harald was not simply Norway’s King.

He was also a husband, a father, a grandfather and a brother.

Our thoughts now go to Queen Sonja; King Haakon; and the other members of the Royal Family. 

We share their grief, and remember King Harald with deep respect and gratitude.

While we mourn the loss of King Harald, we also turn our thoughts to the future.

We welcome Norway’s new king, His Majesty King Haakon VIII, who must now carry out his royal duties.

We will meet King Haakon with confidence in the knowledge that he will carry on the work of his father. For the people and for the fatherland.

May the memory of King Harald V rest in peace.