King Haakon of Norway has officially acknowledged his father's passing and announced his new official name. Harald, who was King Charles's second cousin once removed, died on Friday morning with his son automatically becoming King Haakon VIII.
King Harald's life and reign
The oldest European monarch at the time of his death, Harald was crowned after his British-born father, King Olav V, died in January 1991. Harald was born in 1937 in Asker, near Oslo, and was just three years old when the Nazis occupied Norway at the start of World War 2.
Following his father's passing, Haakon held a meeting with the Council of State, where he informed the ministers of his father's death.
New titles confirmed
Haakon also chose to keep his name, making his official title His Majesty King Haakon VIII, as per Hello! Magazine. His wife's official title is now Her Majesty Queen Mette-Marit.
King Charles leads tributes
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles said: “It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway.
“For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.
“As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.
“The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905.
“These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together.
“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.”
He signed the message: “Charles R.”
