Mourners in Norway Remember King Harald V
New York Times
N
New York Times
Original Source
Thousands of Norwegians gathered outside Oslo's Royal Palace to mourn King Harald V, who died at 89 after 35 years of reign marked by economic prosperity and growing national diversity. Despite public scandals involving the royal family, the late monarch remained a unifying figure whose popularity endured until his passing.
Mourners in Norway Remember King Harald V - The New York Times
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‘The Grandfather of All Norway’: Mourners Remember King Harald V
Norwegians grieved a monarch who remained popular despite scandals involving the royal family. His death marks a new era for the country.
Listen · 5:55 min
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!A very large crowd of people stand behind a huge mound of flowers. In front of it, two people embrace.
*A gathering in Palace Square, Oslo, to mourn King Harald V of Norway, who died on Friday.
Credit...
Cornelius Poppe/NTB, via Agence France-Presse – Getty Images*
By
Lynsey ChutelHenrik Pryser Libell
and Louise Krüger
Henrik Pryser Libell and Louise Krüger reported from Oslo.
Aug. 28, 2026
Updated 1:26 p.m. ET
See more of our coverage in your search results. Encuentra más de nuestra cobertura en los resultados de búsqueda. Add The New York Times on Google Agrega The New York Times en Google
As news of King Harald V’s death broke on Friday, thousands of Norwegians left their homes, classrooms and offices to gather in collective grief outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.
Some cried, others hugged. Many laid flowers on the grounds leading to the palace’s arched entrance, where flags flew at half-staff. The gray sky after an unusually sunny week appeared to reflect the country’s mood.
“I didn’t think I would be this sad,” said Shain Thomas Jellum Gundhus, 45, an artist who wore black and was placing red roses at the palace. “He was absolutely wonderful.”
Many of the mourners outside the palace described the king as a unifying figure who had held a changing Norway together. Harald had been Norway’s king since 1991, reigning, though largely in a ceremonial role, during an economic boom and as the country grew increasingly diverse. Within his own household, he presided over a series of public scandals involving members of the royal family.
Until his death, at age 89, he remained a popular figure, even as public support for the monarchy appeared to dip with each embarrassing headline.
Image
!A young woman puts her arm around another woman’s shoulder amid a crowd.
*Many of the mourners described the king as a unifying figure who held a changing Norway together.
Credit...
Dylan Martinez/Reuters*
Lynsey Chutel
is a Times reporter based in London who covers breaking news in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
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Today’s Paper
* Home
* + U.S.
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+ 中文
The Epstein Files
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Advertisement
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Supported by
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‘The Grandfather of All Norway’: Mourners Remember King Harald V
Norwegians grieved a monarch who remained popular despite scandals involving the royal family. His death marks a new era for the country.
Listen · 5:55 min
*
*
*
*
!A very large crowd of people stand behind a huge mound of flowers. In front of it, two people embrace.
*A gathering in Palace Square, Oslo, to mourn King Harald V of Norway, who died on Friday.
Credit...
Cornelius Poppe/NTB, via Agence France-Presse – Getty Images*
By
Lynsey ChutelHenrik Pryser Libell
and Louise Krüger
Henrik Pryser Libell and Louise Krüger reported from Oslo.
Aug. 28, 2026
Updated 1:26 p.m. ET
See more of our coverage in your search results. Encuentra más de nuestra cobertura en los resultados de búsqueda. Add The New York Times on Google Agrega The New York Times en Google
As news of King Harald V’s death broke on Friday, thousands of Norwegians left their homes, classrooms and offices to gather in collective grief outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.
Some cried, others hugged. Many laid flowers on the grounds leading to the palace’s arched entrance, where flags flew at half-staff. The gray sky after an unusually sunny week appeared to reflect the country’s mood.
“I didn’t think I would be this sad,” said Shain Thomas Jellum Gundhus, 45, an artist who wore black and was placing red roses at the palace. “He was absolutely wonderful.”
Many of the mourners outside the palace described the king as a unifying figure who had held a changing Norway together. Harald had been Norway’s king since 1991, reigning, though largely in a ceremonial role, during an economic boom and as the country grew increasingly diverse. Within his own household, he presided over a series of public scandals involving members of the royal family.
Until his death, at age 89, he remained a popular figure, even as public support for the monarchy appeared to dip with each embarrassing headline.
Image
!A young woman puts her arm around another woman’s shoulder amid a crowd.
*Many of the mourners described the king as a unifying figure who held a changing Norway together.
Credit...
Dylan Martinez/Reuters*
Lynsey Chutel
is a Times reporter based in London who covers breaking news in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
*
*
*
*
Related Content
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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*
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*
*
*
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Advertisement
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Tags:#النرويج#الملك هارالد الخامس#الحداد الملكي#أوسلو#النظام الملكي#الشؤون الأوروبية
Source: New York Times
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