Norway’s new king, Haakon VIII, delivers his first speech as sovereign and pays an emotional tribute to his late father, King Harald V. Several outlets report that Haakon expresses personal loss and recalls his father’s qualities, including his way of meeting people, as well as Harald’s role in representing Norway.
In the address, Haakon outlines how he intends to reign. Sources agree he vows to follow his own approach rather than simply continuing in the same style, and he emphasizes values such as democracy, unity and inclusion. Channel NewsAsia and others highlight Haakon’s direct remarks about missing his father, while Al Jazeera and Free Malaysia Today focus more on the themes of mourning and the “huge task” ahead. BBC Sport likewise notes his comments ahead of outlining his wishes for kingship.
