King Haakon to resume duties on 9 October after death of King Harald V
King Haakon VIII of Norway will return to official duties on 9 October after weeks of suspended engagements following the death of his father.
The Norwegian Royal Household set out the plan on 7 October, as court mourning — the formal period when the palace pauses public work — draws to a close. Royal Central
King Harald V died peacefully at 6:35 AM on Friday 28 August at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. He was 89.
His son became king at that moment. Succession in Norway is automatic on death. Haakon, now styled King Haakon VIII, has since sworn the oath required by the Constitution before Norway's parliament. Reuters He will be blessed at an official enthronement service at a later date.
The family suspended all public engagements after the death. King Haakon VIII declared that the Court will observe mourning through Friday 9 October, with a further month of court mourning to follow the funeral, according to a notice from the Royal House of Norway
Harald's coffin left the Royal Palace at 12:00 on Wednesday 9 September and was carried in procession to Oslo Cathedral. Tens of thousands of Norwegians streamed to the royal palace in the days after his death.
Two days after the funeral, the family suffered a second loss. Princess Astrid, sister of King Harald V, died in September at the age of 94.
Queen Sonja of Norway will recommence public duties once the mourning period ends. Queen Mette-Marit of Norway, who had a lung transplant in June, continues to recuperate at home. She will not undertake public duties until at least the summer of next year.
The line of succession has changed. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra is now heir to the throne. She briefly moved her university course to Oslo when her mother went into hospital. She is set to recommence her studies in Sydney, Australia, in February.
Prince Sverre Magnus is second in line to the throne. He is studying in Lisbon.
There will be no State Visits — the formal visits by heads of state with full ceremonial — for the foreseeable future.
