Following the death of King Harald, Norway’s royal family has had to balance strict protocol and public duties with visible personal grief during the tronskiftet, according to reports covering the mourning period.
Public Mourning and Royal Duties
Amid the transition of power, members of the royal family have carried out a series of required official obligations. Even in deep sorrow, they have had to follow strict protocols. When King Haakon (53), Queen Mette-Marit (53), Queen Sonja (89), and Princess Märtha Louise (54) stepped out onto Slottsplassen to view the vast sea of flowers, they were visibly moved.
The sorrow was also present inside Oslo Cathedral during King Harald’s funeral. During Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s memorial speech, several attendees had to wipe away tears with handkerchiefs. Emotions remained visible after the funeral as the new royal family stepped out onto the Palace balcony to be met with applause from a large crowd.
Queen Mette-Marit in particular has allowed her emotions to show clearly during the public appearances. According to royal expert and author Tove Taalesen, the distinguishing factor isn’t necessarily that the Queen cries, but that she doesn’t try to hide her feelings. Taalesen notes that Queen Mette-Marit has always worn her emotions close to the surface—whether laughing, moved, or sad—and that this openness persists in grief. At the same time, Taalesen emphasizes that tears should not be used as a measure of how deeply someone grieves, stating that people process sorrow differently.
Modernization and Openness in the Monarchy
Dagbladet commentator Martine Aurdal points out that the openness displayed by the new royal couple reflects an evolution in the royal house. According to Aurdal, both members of the new royal pair have chosen to be more open and personal in public than previous generations, which represents a modernization of the monarchy by letting people get closer. Aurdal adds that seeing the Queen moved serves as a reminder that despite their official roles, the family’s grief remains personal, much like anyone else’s.
While representing the institution of the monarchy, the royals are simultaneously a family that has lost a father, father-in-law, husband, and grandfather. When King Haakon delivered his very first speech to the Norwegian people as monarch on Saturday, he spoke openly about his loss. “I will miss him. I will miss his laugh,” the new King stated, while also expressing that it was a comfort and strength to know that Norway was mourning alongside them. According to Tove Taalesen, this high level of openness from the royal family has made it easier for the public to share in the mourning process.
Did You Know? During his first address to the nation as monarch on Saturday, King Haakon explicitly mentioned missing his father’s laugh and took a moment to congratulate his mother, Queen Sonja, on her wedding anniversary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What official duties has the royal family carried out following King Harald’s death?
The family has managed a series of required duties and adhered to strict protocols during the tronskiftet, including viewing the floral tributes on Slottsplassen, attending the funeral at Oslo Cathedral, and greeting the public from the Palace balcony.
What did royal expert Tove Taalesen note about Queen Mette-Marit’s expressions of grief?
Taalesen observed that Queen Mette-Marit makes no effort to hide her emotions, noting that she has always worn her feelings close to the surface, though she stressed that crying is not a reliable measure of the depth of someone’s sorrow.
How has the new royal couple’s approach changed the monarchy?
According to Dagbladet commentator Martine Aurdal, the new royal couple has chosen to be more open and personal in public than prior generations, which represents a modernization of the institution by allowing the public closer access.
How do you view the balance between public protocol and personal grief during national royal transitions?
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