Erik Schjerven visited the castle with his family on Friday evening. Like many others, he had a bouquet of flowers in his arms to place in the enormous sea of flowers that had formed in front of the castle.
An era is over, he says.
But the end of an era also means the beginning of a new one. In this case, it has already begun. King Harald's son, Haakon, took over the throne upon his father's death, and on Tuesday, September 1, he will swear the oath of allegiance in the Storting.
“A year of scandal”
King Harald was well-liked by Norwegians, and there are many indications that the 53-year-old King Haakon will also be highly appreciated when he takes over.
Erik Schjerven believes that things will be fine "despite the scandals".
His family has had a bit of a scandalous year, he says.
By scandals, he refers to Queen Mette-Marit’s history of contacts with the now-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This came to light at the beginning of the year when documents linked to the Epstein investigation were made public in the United States.
In addition, there has been, to say the least, turbulence surrounding Mette-Marit’s son Marius Borg Høiby - the so-called "bonus prince" who was sentenced to four years in prison in June for, among other things, rape. Marius Borg Høiby is the queen's son from a previous relationship and is not part of the royal family.
“Time heals all wounds”
Mette-Marit has also had to think about her own health, in addition to all the commotion surrounding her son. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, underwent a risky lung transplant in June, and faces a long rehabilitation period before she is fully healthy.
"All that may come into play, but time heals all wounds. Haakon will be fine," says Erik Schjerven.
Rolf Christian Holth Olsen has the same attitude towards the new regent.
"I think things will go very well when Haakon takes over. I'm not worried about the royal family going forward," he says.
Inger Johanne says that she is “thinking about the coming king”:
It's a difficult time for him now. But I think it will be very good.
King Harald died on Friday morning at the age of 89.
Haakon was born on July 20, 1973 in Oslo as the second child of King Harald and Queen Sonja.
Graduated from Kristelig Gymnasium in Oslo in 1992 and completed his education at the Naval Academy in Bergen in 1995.
Holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree from the London School of Economics with a specialization in international trade and Africa.
He is a general in the army, an admiral in the navy and a general in the air force. With the royal title, he becomes, according to the constitution, the supreme commander.
Married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in Oslo Cathedral in 2001.
The couple has two children: Ingrid Alexandra, born in 2004, and Sverre Magnus, born in 2005. Haakon is also the stepfather of Marius Borg Høiby.
Haakon has adopted the same motto as his father: "Everything for Norway".
Source: The Royal House and NTB
