King Haakon VIII addresses Norway following the death of King Harald V at 89
Following the death of King Harald V after a 35-year reign, 53-year-old Haakon VIII assumed the throne, held state audiences in Oslo, and delivered his first national address on Saturday.
Succession and national address
On Saturday evening, 29 August 2026, King Haakon VIII delivered his first address to the nation following the death of his father, King Harald V. Harald V died on Friday, 28 August, at 6:35 AM at Oslo National Hospital at the age of 89, concluding a 35-year reign. In the recorded address broadcast on NRK and TV2 at 19:00, the 53-year-old monarch adopted the royal motto "All for Norway", used by his predecessors Harald V, Olav V, and Haakon VII. Haakon spoke from a salon in the Royal Palace, seated beside a portrait of his father marked with a black ribbon. He referenced the challenges facing the country and emphasized that the national motto requires a readiness to protect freedom and independence.
Now that my father has left us, I have a great task ahead of me.
First state audiences at the Royal Palace
Prior to the national address, the new sovereign carried out his first official engagements at the Royal Palace in Oslo. At 17:30 on Saturday, Haakon VIII received state leaders in condolence audiences alongside his 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra. The attendees included Masud Gharahkhani, president of the Storting, Toril Marie Øie, president of the Supreme Court, and Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit, leader of the Church of Norway. The three officials signed the condolence registry and met with the monarch. Gharahkhani called the meeting productive, while Øie noted Harald V's consistent defence of constitutional democracy and human rights.
We believe in our popular government and in democracy, in a society based on law and justice, and we believe in a Norway where there is room for everyone.
Line of succession and royal challenges
The succession establishes Princess Ingrid Alexandra as the official heir apparent to the Norwegian throne. She is the first female heir to reach majority at the start of a reign since Queen Margaret in 1412, having completed training with the Engineer Battalion of the North Brigade. The transition coincides with administrative and personal adjustments within the royal household. Queen Consort Mette-Marit continues to recover from a lung transplant, which will shape her official calendar. During his address, Haakon also thanked his mother, Queen Sonja, marking what would have been his parents' 58th wedding anniversary on Saturday, as well as his sister Princess Märtha Louise.
- King Harald V is admitted to Oslo National Hospital to treat fluid retention.
- Harald V dies at age 89, concluding a 35-year reign.
- King Haakon VIII and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra hold condolence audiences at the Royal Palace.
- King Haakon VIII broadcasts his first official address to the nation.
- King Haakon VIII is scheduled to swear the constitutional oath before the Storting.
Parliamentary oath and security landscape
Harald V had entered the Oslo National Hospital on 17 August to treat fluid retention caused by cortisone treatments for hemolytic anemia, before developing a bloodstream infection. Haakon VIII will formally deliver his constitutional oath before the Storting on Tuesday. During the session, the Storting president will read the official notice of Harald V's death and confirm the succession to the throne. Haakon will then swear to govern Norway according to its Constitution and laws. The royal transition takes place as Norway operates under a 2026 total defense framework, with state security assessments identifying Russia as the main external security concern.
