OSLO, Norway (AP) — On Saturday, tens of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Norway's King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89. Flowers and condolence cards adorned the royal palace in Oslo, a poignant tribute that followed the monarch's death, which occurred on the preceding Friday morning.

The area around Slottsplassen, the square located in front of the palace, was transformed into a vibrant sea of floral tributes. As a steady stream of Norwegians visited the site, palace gardeners worked to maintain clear pathways by removing some of the bouquets. Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that palace workers were also responsible for collecting condolence cards that had become soaked from a nighttime downpour, ensuring that the messages of sorrow could be preserved for future remembrance.

In a show of solidarity, churches and city halls across Norway opened their doors on Saturday, allowing citizens to light candles and write their reflections about the late king in special condolence books. The coffin of King Harald V had arrived at the royal palace on Friday evening after being transported from the National Hospital in Oslo, where he had succumbed to health issues.

Among those who came to pay their respects was Roni Ervik, 46, who expressed his deep gratitude for the king and the royal family. "It’s special, intimate, and lovely. I’m placing my right hand on my chest in gratitude to him and the royal family," he told NRK. Ervik was also honoring the late king on behalf of his family, who hailed from western Norway.

Following the death of Harald V, Crown Prince Haakon, aged 53, ascended to the throne and is now known as King Haakon VIII. He adopted the motto "All for Norway," a phrase with historical roots dating back to his great-grandfather. His wife is now Queen Mette-Marit, and their eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, has assumed the title of crown princess and heir to the throne.

King Haakon VIII is no stranger to royal duties; he has often stepped in as regent during his father's ill health in recent years. On Saturday, a choir was reportedly set to perform in the Royal Palace Square, while the new king planned to meet with significant figures, including the speaker of Norway's parliament, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church of Norway, with Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra in attendance.

In the days to come, King Haakon VIII is expected to deliver his first speech to the people of Norway. His immediate priorities will focus on reassuring public support for the monarchy, particularly in light of recent controversies involving his wife’s past associations with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and her stepson’s rape conviction.

As the nation enters an official period of mourning, a funeral date for King Harald V has yet to be announced. Some citizens have chosen to postpone festive events such as weddings and baptisms until the mourning period concludes, as reported by NRK.

The Norwegian monarchy has deeply rooted historical significance, tracing its lineage back to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. Following the restoration of Norway’s independence from Sweden in 1905, a national plebiscite revealed that three-quarters of voters favored the re-establishment of the monarchy. Today, the royals primarily serve symbolic roles, with real political power vested in an elected parliament, yet the monarchy continues to play a vital part in representing and promoting the affluent nation on the global stage.

The Associated Press