Early this morning, August 28, 2026, while most of us were sleeping, the moon entered the shadow behind the earth. The refraction of light from the atmosphere caused the moon over Norway to turn red, a so-called “blood moon”. And when the blood moon had left us, at 06:35, the blood moon had taken our king with it. And Norway had gained a new king.
It is sad. And at the same time a little beautiful, a little magical. If this had happened in the Middle Ages, the people would have cursed the blood moon and thought that it was some evil sorcery that took the life of our much-loved king, and that it was a sign of troubled times. And troubled times it is.
There was someone who referred to our king as “Harald the Generous”, and I think that was a nice name and a good legacy. – Yngve Dyvik
King Harald V died peacefully at Rikshospitalet in Oslo on Friday, 28 August 2026, at 06:35, aged 89. This was confirmed by the Royal Court. He reigned as King of Norway from 1991 and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time. Crown Prince Haakon immediately succeeded him.
King Harald delivered many speeches during his reign. They were often personal and inclusive, focusing on community, democracy, and looking after one another. He reportedly did not particularly enjoy giving speeches, yet several have become especially memorable. Here are some of the most highly regarded ones.
Welcoming speech at the garden party in the Palace Park, Sept. 1, 2016
Prime Minister,
Vice President of the Storting,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
After travelling throughout the country over the course of many years, it is a great pleasure for us to host representatives from all of Norway!
A warm welcome to every one of you!
Those of you who are gathered here represent the breadth of what Norway is today.
So what is Norway?
Norway is high mountains and deep fjords. It is wide open spaces and rocky coastlines, islands and islets. It is lush farmland and rolling moors.
The sea laps against the country from the north, west and south.
Norway is midnight sun and polar night. It is both harsh and mild winters. It is both warm and cold summers.
Norway is long and sparsely populated.
But above all, Norway is its people.Norwegians are people from Northern Norway, Trøndelag, Southern Norway – and from all the other regions. Norwegians have also immigrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Poland, from Sweden, Somalia and Syria. My grandparents immigrated from Denmark and England 110 years ago.
It is not always easy to say where we are from, what nationality we belong to. What we call home is where our heart is – and that cannot always be confined within national borders.
Norwegians are young and old, tall and short, able-bodied and wheelchair users. More and more of us are over a hundred years old. Norwegians are rich, poor and somewhere in between. Norwegians like football and handball, climb mountain peaks and sail – while others are happiest on the sofa.
Some have great self-confidence, while others struggle to believe that they are good enough as they are.
Norwegians work in shops, in hospitals, on oil platforms. Norwegians work to keep us safe, work to keep the country free of litter, and look for new solutions for a green future. Norwegians cultivate the soil and fish. Norwegians do research and teach.
Norwegians are engaged young people and experienced older people. Norwegians are single, divorced, families with children and elderly couples. Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other.
Norwegians believe in God, Allah, the Universe and nothing.
Norwegians like Grieg and Kygo, Hellbillies and Kari Bremnes.
In other words: Norway is you.
Norway is us.
When we sing “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (“Yes, we love this country”), we should remember that we are also singing about each other. Because it is we who make up the country. Therefore our national anthem is also a declaration of love for the Norwegian people.
My greatest hope for Norway is that we will manage to take care of one another.
That we will continue to build this country – on trust, fellowship and generosity.
That we will feel that we – despite all our differences – are one people.
That Norway is one.
Once again – a warm welcome to all of you – I hope we will have a pleasant time together!
(Source: The Royal House of Norway / official translation and widely published versions based on the original Norwegian text)
This speech, given during the celebration of the royal couple’s 25 years on the throne, is frequently ranked among his very best. It went viral and was praised for describing an inclusive Norway. The core message emphasised diversity, trust and community across differences.
There are many types of kings through history. We have had an empathetic, curious and unifying king. A modern king for his time. Rest in peace. Photo: King Harald’s trip to the Amazon in 2013. He lived alone with an Indian tribe in the jungle in a hammock at the age of 76. Probably no other royal has done that before or after him.
– Thor Haakon Bakke, The Green Party
Speeches after the 22 July 2011 attacks
The day after the terrorist attacks (23 July) and at the national memorial ceremony (21 August), he gave speeches described as among his heaviest and finest. He expressed grief, gratitude to helpers and those affected, and reaffirmed core values:
I remain convinced in the belief that freedom is stronger than fear. I remain convinced in the belief of an open Norwegian democracy and society. I remain convinced in the belief of our ability to live freely and safely in our own country.
Experts called the August speech personal, emotional and historically significant.
The King is Dead. Long live the King
King Hakon VIII
Comments are closed.