King Haakon VIII's first speech

King Haakon VIII of Norway delivered his first speech to the nation on August 29, 2026, following the death of his father, King Harald V, on August 28. In the televised address, Haakon paid tribute to his father as a devoted family man and a unifying figure, and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of public mourning. He emphasized his commitment to Norway's constitutional monarchy and democratic values, and noted that he would do things his own way. The new king is due to swear an oath of allegiance in parliament on Tuesday. A national period of mourning has been declared, and the funeral date has not yet been set. The royal family faces challenges including scrutiny over Queen Mette-Marit's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the recent conviction of her son, Marius Borg Høiby.