Today's Edition
(DPA)
Norway's new King Haakon VIII paid an emotional tribute to his late father, King Harald V, in his first address to the nation since ascending to the throne.
"Thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me," Haakon said on Saturday evening in a speech broadcast on Norwegian television and radio.
With Harald's death on Friday morning, Haakon immediately became the new monarch of the Scandinavian country. He has one sister, Princess Märtha Louise.
"You were also a warm and funny grandfather. A loving and caring husband. A generous father-in-law," the king continued. "You supported and took care of us all."
"I will miss him," the 53-year-old said of his father. "I will miss his laugh" and his warm, cheerful way of approaching people and situations.
'Happy wedding anniversary, dear Mum'
Haakon also paid tribute to his parents' marriage, noting that Saturday marked the 58th anniversary of Harald and Queen Sonja's wedding.
His voice briefly faltered as he turned to his mother and said: "Happy wedding anniversary, dear Mum."
Looking ahead to his own reign, Haakon said he intended to follow his father's example while finding his own way as monarch.
"Now it's my turn," he said, adding that he and his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, wanted to be present, listen and understand the different circumstances of people's lives.
"We believe in a Norway where there is room for everyone," he said.
Haakon thanked Norwegians for the outpouring of sympathy following his father's death and expressed gratitude to Harald for everything he had done for the country.
The new king is due to take the constitutional oath of office before Norway's parliament on Tuesday, in a ceremony that will be broadcast live on television.
