STORY: Tearful mourners wiped away tears and stood in silence outside Oslo's Royal Palace on Saturday (August 29), laying flowers and lighting candles to honour King Harald, who died on Friday.

Europe's oldest monarch, who emerged from the shadow of his well-loved, extrovert father to become a reformer during more than three decades on the throne, died at the age of 89.

Many who came to mourn praised Harald's spirit of tolerance and his ability to unite the nation. "In my life, he has been our king, my king, for thirty-five years," said mourner Trond Ihle. "He has been a very good man for everyone in Norway."

The late king's message of inclusiveness resonated particularly strongly with mourners, including those from other countries who had made Norway their home.

Veselina Vitanova, originally from Bulgaria but living in Norway for 17 years, wiped away tears as she laid flowers, saying "he was a very special man."

The new king is expected to take the oath in front of parliament on Tuesday, when he will swear to defend Norway's constitution and laws. Flags flew at half-mast throughout the country as Norwegians mourned their beloved monarch.

At a later point, Norwegians will be able to pay their respects in front of his coffin inside the royal chapel.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: OSLO, NORWAY (AUGUST 29, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE ROYAL PALACE

2. CHOIR SINGING OUTSIDE PALACE

3. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING, LISTENING TO CHOIR, SOME WIPING TEARS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MOURNER, TROND IHLE, SAYING:

"In my life, he has been our king, my king, for thirty-five years. And very special. He has been a very good man for everyone in Norway. And has been standing close to all people. It doesn't matter if they were young, old, or come from other countries. We remember him with great love. A lot of people, all people actually."

5. PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE ROYAL PALACE

6. MOURNER, ORIGINALLY FROM BULGARIA, VESELINA VITANOVA WIPING TEARS

7. VARIOUS OF VITANOVA LAYING FLOWERS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MOURNER, ORIGINALLY FROM BULGARIA, VESELINA VITANOVA, SAYING:

"He meant a lot to me. I'm not Norwegian. I'm originally from Bulgaria, but I have lived here for 17 years. So yes, he was a very special man."

9. MOURNER FROM OSLO, HEGE NYGAARD LIGHTING CANDLE

10. NYGAARD LAYING CANDLE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MOURNER FROM OSLO, HEGE NYGAARD, SAYING:

"He was a king for the nation, a good man, tolerated everybody, and was so warm. Yes, and I have to come here today. Yesterday it was raining, raining, raining, the skies cried, and today the sun is shining for the new king, I think."

12. PEOPLE STANDING BY FLOWERS ON GROUND

13. WOMAN CRYING, HOLDING ROSES

14. PEOPLE STANDING BY FLOWERS

15. NORWEGIAN FLAGS SURROUNDED BY FLOWERS

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) OSLO RESIDENT, IDA LISLERUD MOE, SAYING:

"Well, we're here today to show respect because, as I said, he was like the king for everyone. Everyone loved and respected him."

17. PEOPLE STANDING

18. FRAMED PHOTO OF KING HARALD WITH CHILDREN'S DRAWINGS

19. PEOPLE STANDING IN SILENCE

20. (SOUNDBITE) (English) OSLO RESIDENT, THUREHA KUGAN, SAYING:

"He was a very inclusive person and very warm, and he wanted everyone to stay together. And he was very about telling everyone - DON'T think about religion, culture, or the people; everyone needs to stay together. So he was a very lovely person."

21. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING, LAYING FLOWERS

22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) OSLO RESIDENT, MONS SYDNESS, SAYING:

"I think the most important is that he is a symbol for the whole nation, for all of us in Norway. And it was not easy for him to follow after his father, King Olav, but we see these days that he has succeeded. He has done it in his own way. And he's done it very, very well."

23. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ARRIVING AT ROYAL PALACE