Norway mourns King Harald as Haakon VIII ascends throne

Image source, Cornelius Poppe / NTB / AFP via Getty Images) / Norway OUTNorwegians, politicians and royals are grieving the death of beloved King Harald V, as a period of national mourning begins and his son King Haakon VIII assumes the throne.After Harald's death was announced early on Friday, crowds amassed at the royal palace in Oslo, laying flowers and flags, some mourners visibly in tears. Hours later, the new king met government ministers for an extraordinary council of state meeting, after which the 53-year-old announced he was taking on the royal family's motto "All for Norway".Harald died peacefully in hospital at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) aged 89, after receiving treatment there for a rare blood condition since last week.Image source, Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Memorials outside the palace included a candle with the word "thanks" written on itThe late monarch has been described as an inclusive, transparent and empathetic "people's king" who modernised the Norwegian monarchy.European royals, including King Charles III - whose mother Queen Elizabeth II was Harald's second cousin - as well as political leaders and ordinary citizens, paid tribute to ...