According to the BBC, Norway's King Haakon VIII paid an emotional tribute to his late father, Harald V, in his first speech to the nation since taking the throne. Haakon said Harald had been a good father, a warm and funny grandfather to his six grandchildren and a loving husband to Queen Sonja, and noted that Saturday would have been their 58th wedding anniversary.

Harald, 89, died in hospital on Friday morning after being treated for a rare blood condition. Haakon said a major task now awaited him, stressed national unity and thanked Norwegians who gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo with flowers, tributes and candles. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also laid flowers and signed a book of condolences, saying the country was united in grief and gratitude. Haakon is due to swear an oath of allegiance in parliament on Tuesday and later attend a consecration service with Queen Mette-Marit.