Norwegians Line Up at Churches for Memorial Services Honoring Late King Harald V

OSLO — Norwegians across the country lined up early Sunday in front of cathedrals and churches for memorial services held for the late King Harald V, who died at 89.

“This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost their spouse, father, grandfather, father-in-law,” said Dean Pål Kristian Balstad as he opened the service in Oslo Cathedral, Norway’s public broadcaster NRK reported.

The royal family attended a service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo. King Haakon VIII, Harald’s son, arrived with other family members. Queen Mette-Marit did not attend for health reasons following a recent lung transplant.

Since Harald’s death on Friday morning, tens of thousands of Norwegians have expressed their grief by laying flowers, writing cards and lighting candles in front of the royal palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital.

A date for the funeral has not been formally set, but Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre indicated it would take place in calendar week 37. The country remains in a state of mourning, with some people postponing celebrations such as weddings and baptisms.

On Saturday night, the new King Haakon VIII eulogized his father in his first speech as sovereign. “I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,” he said, promising to lead the country with the same dedication.