# King Haakon the Eighth has paid tribute to his “dear father”, King Harald the Fifth, in his first speech as Norway’s sovereign. Haakon described his father as a warm family man and reformer, praising his commitment to inclusion and compassion. Tens of thousands of mourners have gathered at the royal palace in Oslo, where Harald is lying in state after his death at the age of 89. Haakon has pledged to lead Norway in his own way, while carrying forward the democratic values and traditions of the monarchy.
Norway’s new king honours his late father