Greetings from Norway

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President Donald J. Trump sent condolences on Truth Social early this morning:
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Very sad to hear about the passing of King Harald of Norway — A strong, proud, and greatly respected man. He loved his Country, and was truly loved and respected by his people. Our hearts are with the Royal Family, and all of Norway, during this difficult time. A truly BIG loss! President DONALD J. TRUMP
2.09k ReTruths 9.93kLikes Aug 29, 2026, 3:45 AM

From NRK News:

Donald Trump offers condolences

– A strong, proud and deeply respected man. That’s what the US President writes about King Harald V. Greetings also come from the US from Norwegian-Americans.

When Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visited the White House last April, Trump was clear about his enthusiasm for the Norwegian king. At the press conference after the conversation between the two, the president boasted about King Harald:
Video: Trump vil møte kongen – NRK

– Norwegian-Americans offer condolences
But Trump is not the only one in the United States who has wanted to condole the loss of the Norwegian king.
In the Norwegian-American bastion of Minneapolis, many have come to Norway House to offer condolences and deliver flowers.
Among them is Norwegian-American Cynthia Ahlgren and her son Leif Magnus.
– Harald is the king of love, and he was a fantastic role model, not only for his family and the Norwegian people, but also for royal families all over the world, she tells NRK.

Norwegian-American Cynthia Ahlgren and her son Leif Magnus brought flowers. Photo: Anders Tvegård / NRK

Ahlgren has family in Northern Norway and her son attended folk high school in Oslo in the 1990s.
– We have followed the news as best we could, and when I heard that he had died, I turned on NRK. Then I thought I had to come here with a bouquet of flowers to give to the family, says Leif Magnus Ahlgren in perfect Norwegian.

Source: Donald Trump kondolerer – NRK Urix – Utenriksnyheter og -dokumentarer

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Norway’s new king pays tribute to his late father as the country mourns

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During the day, there have been between 10,000–15,000 people constantly present at Slottsplassen, according to the Oslo police:

PS: It is difficult to find cut flowers anywhere in Oslo, or other places in Norway these days.

KV Svalbard marked the king’s passing at the North Pole

In the middle of the icy wilderness, the crew of the KV Svalbard received the news of King Harald’s death. Nevertheless, they chose to complete their research mission towards the Pole – entirely in the king’s spirit.

Ship commander and naval captain Geir-Martin Leinebø together with expedition leader Hanne Sagen from the Nansen Center.
Photo: KV Svalbard / NRK

Met in person this summer
– We were so lucky to meet him last summer by following his vessel when he was on Bjørnøya and Svalbard. We got to meet him in person and talk to him.

Ship commander on KV Svalbard, Geir-Martin Leinebø during cruise in the Arctic Ocean October/November 2020.

Ship commander Geir-Martin Leinebø chose to complete the research mission towards the pole.
– With the impression we got from him then, I am convinced that he wanted us to continue the mission.

Source: KV Svalbard markerte kongens bortgang på Nordpolen – NRK Troms og Finnmark

From the King’s visit to Bear Island last year:

The tractor “Tuk-Tuk” with trailer was waiting at the dock, where the royal tribune took on a new meaning.
The king was driven across the rough terrain of the island on the tractor’s cargo bed:

Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB

Kongen ankom på traktor

Source: Kong Harald på Bjørnøya: – Dette er en del av Norge, derfor er vi her – NRK Norge – Oversikt over nyheter fra ulike deler av landet

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Watch: Norway's new king Haakon VIII takes oath as mourners pay respects to...

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King Harald were respected and loved far outside of Norway.
This has been shown in many different ways around the world:

8.1K reactions · 119 shares | RIP King Harald V of Norway | John Howard Gordon

That is one way. SKÅÅÅL!!

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Not everything is for sale:
Norwegian People’s Aid says no to U.S. Department of State funding under new conditions

“The U.S. Department of State is seeking to impose conditions that would require us to abandon our commitment to equality and diversity not only in programmes it funds, but across all our work, including activities supported by other donors. We cannot accept that. We comply with Norwegian law and Norwegian policy, and our values are not for sale,” says Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).

The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (US DoS PM/WRA), the largest donor to NPA’s mine action and disarmament work, has introduced new requirements for organisations receiving US DoS funding, including restrictions related to abortion, equality and diversity that extend beyond US DoS-funded programmes to also include other parts of an organisation’s work. NPA considers these requirements incompatible with the organisation’s values and has therefore decided to phase out its cooperation with the largest donor to NPA’s mine action and disarmament work:

Secretary General Raymond Johansen Norwegian Peoples Aid Photo: Ludvig Gundersen Norwegian Peoples Aid

“It is of course extremely difficult to turn down funding on this scale, with everything that entails. But these are conditions we cannot accept. Equality, dignity and diversity are not threats; they are values that strengthen our work and help make societies better. Values we will keep fighting for,” says NPA’s Secretary General.

Source: Norwegian People's Aid says no to U.S. Department of State  funding under new conditions | Norsk Folkehjelp

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Farmer at Gardermoen honors King Harald

On a field near Oslo Airport, farmer Hans Petter Aurstad has created King Harald’s monogram:

The photo was taken by a touched airline passenger. Photo: Private

– I got goosebumps
On Friday, Stine Isabel Rosam (34) was on her way from Kirkenes to Oslo. With music in her ears, she looked out the window.
– It took me a while to realize what it actually was.
Then she took out her phone and snapped a few pictures:

Photo: Private
– I simply got goosebumps and was very moved.
– I thought it was a symbolic farewell to our king.
Special relationship with King Harald
It is not without reason that Stine Isabel Rosam reacted the way she did.
Not only is she a former defence girl and soldier in HV17.
She also had a special relationship with King Harald. She had met him twice.
– Among other things, I have served for him and the entire royal family in Kirkenes at a private event, and in Karasjok.

Stine Isabell Rosam believes King Harald was easy to love.Photo: Private
- How would you describe King Harald?
– I would describe him as a “kjærnekar” (core guy). Someone who was very easy to love.
And Rosam wants to give all the credit to the farmer who created the artwork in his field.
– It’s a wonderful way to honour the king.

Source: Bonde på Gardermoen hedrer kong Harald – Stor-Oslo

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King Harald V’s funeral will be on Wednesday 09. Sept., starting at 1200 hrs.
If you are planning to visit Oslo, or even anywhere else in Norway, expect delays and inconveniences because of outpouring of grief and sympathy with the Royal family.
Here is some advice on what to expect:

Oslo Changes For King Harald’s Funeral. Here's What You Need To Know

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The love and respect King Harald had explained by an American who live here:

To King Harald, From An Immigrant

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Historic Launch From Andøya Spaceport: 'A Breakthrough for European Space...

"The launch marks a breakthrough for Norwegian and European space activities and is the result of cooperation between German company Isar Aerospace and Norway’s Andøya Space. This strengthens Europe’s access to space,” says the Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth (Labor) in a press release.
“Europe is taking its destiny into its own hands, including in the space sector. A feat for Germany. A victory for all of Europe,” states French President Emmanuel Macron on
(Emmanuel Macron on X: "L’Europe prend son destin en main, y compris dans le domaine spatial. Après le succès d’Ariane 6 et ceux de Vega, Isar Aerospace vient à son tour d’écrire l’histoire. Pour la première fois, un acteur privé européen a placé sa fusée en orbite après un lancement depuis le sol… / X).

Comment from a Norwegian:
Lene Jacinta Martinussen

We just lost a monarch through 35 years and are also relieved that Donald isn’t coming to his funeral. That’s why a rocket launch isn’t that exciting.

[Jughead]

Flags in Australia have been ordered to half mast for the full day.

https://commonwealthflagnetwork.cmail20.com/t/r-e-tuddntl-olhtjthdyl-d/

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The Norwegian King who became “Uncle Charles” — and gave his name to King Charles III
There is a fascinating family story behind the name Charles that connects the British and Norwegian royal families across generations.Long before he became King Haakon VII of Norway, he was born Prince Carl of Denmark in 1872.
Carl was the second son of the future King Frederik VIII of Denmark. In 1896 he married Princess Maud of Wales, the daughter of the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Their only child, Prince Alexander, was born in England in 1903.

Then, in 1905, everything changed.
Norway dissolved its union with Sweden and needed a new monarch. The Norwegian government approached Prince Carl, but he was determined that becoming king should be the choice of the Norwegian people. A referendum supported retaining the monarchy, and on 18 November 1905, Prince Carl accepted the Norwegian crown.
He chose the historic Norwegian name Haakon VII, while his young son Alexander became Crown Prince Olav. And so the Danish Prince Carl became the first king of modern independent Norway.

Then came the war.
Haakon VII’s greatest test came during the Second World War.
On 9 April 1940, Nazi Germany invaded Norway. The Germans wanted to capture the King and force the Norwegian government to surrender.

Haakon refused. The Royal Family and government eventually escaped Norway, and Haakon and Crown Prince Olav went into exile in Britain. From London, the King continued to represent the legitimate Norwegian government and became a powerful symbol of Norwegian resistance and independence.
And this is where the story becomes particularly personal.
Because Haakon wasn’t simply the King of Norway to the British Royal Family. He was “Uncle Charles.”
Haakon’s wife, Queen Maud (nicknamed in the family as “Harry”), was the daughter of King Edward VII and sister of King George V (Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather), making Haakon a close member of the British royal family. Young Princess Elizabeth knew him from childhood, and the Norwegian Royal Court records that she always referred to him as “Uncle Charles.” The nickname came from his birth name, Carl — “Charles” being the English version.
During the war, when Haakon and his family were living in Britain, the relationship between the Norwegian and British branches of the family became even closer. Elizabeth was still a child, but Haakon remained a much-loved figure in her family. He was said to have been her favourite Uncle and got on very well with him. Then, in 1948, Princess Elizabeth gave birth to her first child. A son. And she called him Charles.
The Norwegian Royal Court states that it is said Elizabeth named her first child after her beloved “Uncle Charles” — the man who had been born Prince Carl of Denmark and had become King Haakon VII of Norway.
That baby would one day become King Charles III.
So when we say King Charles III, there may be a little piece of Norwegian royal history hidden in that name.
Prince Carl of Denmark

King Haakon VII of Norway

“Uncle Charles” to Princess Elizabeth

Prince Charles

King Charles III

But the story doesn’t end there.
Haakon VII’s great-grandson was given the name Haakon in his honour. That child, born in 1973, is now King Haakon VIII of Norway.
So one name travelled down through two royal families:
Haakon → Charles → Haakon.
And behind those names is a remarkable story of family ties, exile, war, duty and affection between Britain and Norway.
Perhaps the most touching part is that before he was remembered as the great wartime King Haakon VII, to a young Lilibet he was simply “Uncle Charles.”
“Alt for Norge” — All for Norway.

Source:

Facebook

Here is a photo of “Lilibet” and “Uncle Charles” in 1955, a few years after she had become Queen:

Posted by Author.

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Flags flew at half mast in New Zealand today.

[Binbag_the_Saylore]

@ombugge

… isn’t coming to his funeral

No, he has to go sabotage the Irish Open Golf.

(but my condolences to Norway, anyway)

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The funeral ceremony for King Harald V was held in Oslo today.
It went on without any incidents, accidents or disturbances:

Watch: Norway bids farewell to King Harald

A recap of the life and reign of King Harald V:

Norway's King Harald dies aged 89: A beloved monarch buffeted by family crises

Here is series of pictures from the funeral on Aljezeera:

Photos: Large Oslo crowd bids farewell to Norway’s King Harald V

The official mourning period is now over:

The flags are raised to the top

With a final salute from Akershus Fortress, King Harald’s funeral and the national mourning period officially ended.

A week and a half after his death, King Harald’s bier has reached its final resting place in the mausoleum at Akershus Fortress.
At 4 p.m., the royal couple emerged from the private ceremony in the Palace Church.
Cannons rang out over the capital in a double salute for King Haakon, and flags were raised to the highest point.
This marks the end of His Majesty King Harald V’s funeral procession.
The official mourning period is over. Church bells across the country will ring for one hour.
The flags is raised to the top around Norway and in countries that honoured King Harald V by lowering them to half mast around the world.

Queen Sonja, his wife for 58 years (and his love for 67 years) placed a single rose on his coffin:
Dronning Sonja legger rose på båren i domkirken – NRK
After the ceremony in the cathedral, four F-35 fighter jets also flew over central Oslo in honor of the late king:
Jagerfly over Domkirken – NRK
After passing above the Church, one of the planes broke formation and went into a steep climb, a traditional and symbolic quest.

Source: Flaggene er heist til topps - NRK

Among the guests who attend were the monarchs of Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Jordan. The heir to the British throne, Prince William, is also expected, as is Crown Prince Akishino of Japan. Presidents from a range of European countries will join them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among those attending the funeral. On Tuesday, he met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo to discuss the war in Ukraine.

PS: The United States was represented by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, but she didn’t appear to have made much of presence, nor got much mention in the reporting, except by NBC.

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The funeral for King Harald V is over and things are getting back to normal in Oslo and the rest of Norway. But one last look at the King that is gone from a maritime perspective:

Nå har kapteinen mønstret av

Article by: Lars Nehru Sand Political commentator, NRK

Now the captain has signed off

He stood at the helm until the very end. When King Harald disembarked, we saw the power of the king in all its might, splendor, and limitations.

King Harald leaned on his crutch so the people could lean on him. Now he has completed his life’s work and given everything for Norway. Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes
“Pipe over.”
The whistle signal lasted for over eight seconds with varying intensity.
The royal ship was docked today at Honnørbryggen. The same place where the little eight-year-old went ashore after the war. It was then that the course of life Prince Harald was born into really dawned on him.

The ancient signal that signals that the captain is leaving the ship sounded this afternoon as the bier was carried into the Castle Church, where the sarcophagus will remain forever. The captain has left the ship for the last time. The sailing king signed off for good.

The Royal Yacht “Norge” is docked at Honnørbryggen outside Oslo City Hall. Photo: Geirr Larsen / NRK

King Harald stood at the helm until the very end. He was healthy when he climbed onto the red tractor-trailer on Bjørnøya last year .
Even in what would be his last summer, he was present for people in sorrow and joy.
The reception of the national football team and the memorial service for the July 22 terror were the final stages:

It was King Harald who was moved when the national team was finally back on Norwegian soil after their World Cup triumph this summer. In what became his last New Year’s speech, King Harald made it clear that he was looking forward to seeing the national team at the World Cup.

King Harald’s last public engagement was in Oslo Cathedral, where he attended the memorial service for the July 22 terror attacks.
Photo: Amanda Pedersen Giske / NTB, Annika Byrde / NTB

Monday, August 17, began what would be his last hospital stay.
On the same day, just a few hours earlier, a press release had been issued regarding the King’s further travel plans before Christmas.
The goal of visiting every municipality in Norway was to be achieved.
Zero abdication, full dedication.

Philosophy from the fjord

King Harald’s life and royal duties have not only been a source of tribute.
He has had to stand at the helm in bad weather.
King Harald had a long, active and distinguished sailing career to look back on. He sailed his last World Championship regatta for 8-meter boats in 2022.

King Harald and his crew on the boat “Sira” won the Sira Cup during the 8-meter World Championships at Hankø here in 2008. Together they have countless hours of training behind them on the Oslofjord.
Photo: Sigurdsøn, Bjørn / SCANPIX

This photo is from the Færderseilasen in 2013. Photo: Cornelius Poppe/NTB

The King’s sailing friends have drawn a picture of a captain and sportsman who did not slavishly follow the sailboat’s ranking and lines of command. Harald was open to input and could admit his own uncertainty. But there was never any doubt about who was captain.

Sailing was a refuge from the hustle and bustle of life. For several years, there was also a top-level sports career on the side, which resulted in, among other things, World Cup gold and three Olympic participations.
For the captain, King Harald, it was out of the question to leave the ship before the job was done. Only in this way would he take responsibility.
As both a sailor and a king, he has stood at the helm in both tailwind and headwind. Storm and calm. For more than three decades, he has steered the ship, navigating the nation. Now he is stepping down after giving everything for Norway. He has been standing guard.
In the last harbor there was a sea of ​​people and a sea of ​​flowers.

King Harald V. (1937-2026) Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes/NRK

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More deaths in the Royal House of Norway:

Princess Astrid (94) has died

Two days ago, she accompanied her younger brother, King Harald, to the grave. Now Princess Astrid has died, aged 94.

FAREWELL: Princess Astrid said a silent farewell at King Harald’s bier in the Palace Chapel on September 3. Two days ago, on September 9, she followed the funeral procession. Today she fell asleep.
Photo: The Royal Court

Princess Astrid fell asleep today, Friday, September 11, the royal house announced.
“His Majesty the King has received with great sadness the news that Princess Astrid has passed away,” the press release states.
King Haakon has decided that flags will be flown at half-mast from the Palace Balcony today and on the day of the funeral.

Goodbye to little brother

On Wednesday, just before King Harald’s funeral ceremony began at 1 p.m., Princess Astrid was wheeled into Oslo Cathedral in a wheelchair:

In a packed cathedral, she said goodbye to her little brother, King Harald, King of Norway for 35 years:

Norway’s First Lady

Princess Astrid in Oslo Cathedral during King Harald’s funeral ceremony on Wednesday. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
Girls did not have the right to inherit the throne when she grew up, so Princess Astrid was not trained for any major public role.
But when her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, died in 1954, Princess Astrid was thrust into the role of Norway’s first lady.
– There was never a question of whether I wanted to or not
– it was just a matter of rolling up my sleeves. There was no one else, she has said. She was only 22 years old then.
Princess Astrid in a gala dress in 1957:

Princess Astrid photographed on her 25th birthday. At that time, she had been Norway’s First Lady for almost three years. Photo: NTB

But there were also some "lighter duties for young Princesses:

“The King” and the princesses: When Princess Astrid (center) was in the United States with the Swedish and Danish princesses in 1960, Elvis Presley took a break from filming to meet them.
Photo: Scanpix / NTB scanpix

Source:

Prinsesse Astrid (94) er død

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807K views · 10K reactions | The Royal Norwegian Air Force paid their last...

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Back to normal programming:

Source: https://www.facebook.com/norwegianheritage

#3: Replace waffles with Svele. :

Best Svele you find on the Fjord1 ferries:

Recipe for Fjord1 svele – Norway’s best pancake!

#8: Not for me!!!
OK, after a spell in a sauna, maybe:

14K views · 1.5K reactions | Cold plunge, Norwegian style 🇳🇴 🥶 Finally got...

But not to this extreem:

AuroraSauna.no on Instagram: "Hva er egentlig perfekt tid i isbad? ❄ Vi har...

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1M views · 42K reactions | Norway 🤩🇳🇴 | Spectacular Norway