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The shocking news of the king’s death came in the late afternoon of January 17, 1991. The next morning, King Harald spoke to the Norwegian people on the NRK radio broadcast.
– Dear compatriots. His Majesty King Olav has passed away. A great loss and deep pain have befallen us all. At this difficult time, it gives me and my family strength to know that all the Norwegian people who are with us share the pain of the death of my dear father, said the King.
That same night, in accordance with the Constitution, he had summoned the government as a minister in the Palace and had taken an oath to govern the country in accordance with the laws and the constitution.
Scary
In retrospect, the king has suggested that it was terrifying to have to take responsibility and show strength of character in the midst of grief for his own father. And that he had big shoes to fill.
June 1991, Trondheim. Together with Queen Sonja, Bishop Finn Wagle signed King Harald in Nidaros Cathedral. Photo: Bjørn Sigurdsøn / NTB
– I was a little terrified. Could describe the situation. To be completely honest, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t make it. He was incredibly popular, King Harald told NTB in 2017.
For the queen, it was a much bigger transition to appear in public as the future crown princess than to be majestic.
– She had been my husband’s wife for quite a few years and also knew my father-in-law well. But it was a great transition and a much greater responsibility, he said in the same interview.
– The first casualty of the Gulf War.
King Olav died at 10:20 p.m. on January 17, 1991.
He suffered a heart attack while following news coverage of the Gulf War, which had just erupted.
– He was the first victim of that war, because he had a heart attack while watching television. He was convinced it was World War III that broke out, and he didn’t want to be a part of it, the king said in a 2016 NRK documentary, which was approaching the 25th anniversary of the change of throne.
In the days that followed, thousands flocked to Slottsplassen in Oslo to remember the late king and show their support for the royal family. The place was full of flowers and candles.
– It only took a few hours, then there was a sea of light in Slottsplassen that lasted until after the funeral. It was amazing, moving, really absolutely stunning, just plain.
Back and forth in the country
August 2019, Oslo. Princess Ingrid Alexandra is confirmed in the Castle Chapel. Succession to the throne: King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
Later that year, on June 23, King and Queen Sonja were signed at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Here they received God’s blessing in their royal work. They then went on a 10-day signing trip in southern Norway, while continuing a 22-day trip in the four northernmost counties the following year.
In October 1992, the relatively recent royal couple also made their first state visit to Denmark. Already there, the king showed his joking side, with which the Norwegians have become well acquainted since then:
“Norwegians like to call the period of union (with Denmark) the ‘night of the fourth centenary’, but as you know, Norwegians, for geographical reasons, are more used to nights than most nations, and we know how make the most of them, said the king to the Danes.
Work in team
30 years later, the heirs of the royal couple, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, are already well integrated into the work of the castle.
At that time, King Harald differs from his predecessors.
– Both King Haakon and Olav were kings who did things alone. My father didn’t let me go at all. We operate more from the idea of cooperation. There are other times. He called us a team, with the court, the crown prince’s partner and us. It is a fortress, says King Harald in the recently published book “The King Counts” by Harald Stanghelle.
In the book, the king also says that he thinks it is perfectly fine to continue working, even at the age of 83. You don’t think you should have had an indefinite vacation as a pensioner.
– No, I do not do that. I think I’m lucky. It is good to have something to do and I hope that what you do is meaningful.
The king is clear that it will continue to the end.
– When an oath has been taken to the Storting, it lasts a lifetime. It’s that easy for me. We are at the “bitter end.” There is something about the death of the King, long live the King!
