Following the morning death of Norway’s King Harald V, his 53-year-old son has officially ascended the throne as King Haakon VIII. During an extraordinary cabinet meeting, the new monarch confirmed his assumption of power, solemnly announcing, “It is my duty to inform the State Council that my beloved father… passed away at 6:35 a.m. today, and that… I have assumed the rule as King of Norway.” He also pledged to honor his predecessors by continuing the historic royal motto, “Everything for Norway.” In response to the beloved king’s passing, a national mourning period has been declared, prompting flags to be lowered to half-mast across all royal, government, and military facilities. Authorities have not yet announced a date for the late monarch’s funeral ceremony.