These past couple of weeks have been an emotional time for Norwegians. King Harald V passed away in his sleep on August 28, 2026, while hospitalized for a rare blood condition. He was 89 years old and had reigned as king for 35 years. The news brought mourners out en masse to the Royal Palace in Oslo (photo above) and to gathering places in communities across the country. They left flowers and flags along with drawings and words of condolences. Then a few days later, they stood in line—some for up to 7 hours—for the opportunity to pay their last respects in front of his coffin in the Royal Chapel.
Permission to share granted
On September 9, the funeral took place in Oslo, attended by royalty and dignitaries from around the world. The coffin was transported from the Royal Chapel to Oslo Cathedral in a solemn and regal procession. Soldiers stood as honor guard along the route while a military band played Sørgemarsj, a funeral march by Norwegian composer Ole Olsen. The royal family and dignitaries followed behind the coffin by foot, while thousands of Norwegians had gathered along the route to watch the procession in person. Following the service at Oslo Cathedral, the coffin was taken to Akershus Fortress for a private burial in the Royal Mausoleum. You can follow the day’s events at Associated Press’ YouTube coverage of the funeral.
Credit: Kongehuset
I didn’t expect the news of the King’s passing to affect me as much as it did. I’ve always been a fan and admirer of the Norwegian royal family. Over the years, there have been some connection points that have made the royal family feel less distant. King Harald and Queen Sonja shared the same anniversary date as my parents, August 29. Their children, Haakon and Märtha Louise, were born the same years as my sister and me. They even attended the same public elementary school in Oslo that I did. Additionally, my grandfather and King Harald shared a passion for sailing. They both sailed at multiple Olympic Games overlapping at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. And like his father before him, the now-King Haakon married a commoner, Mette-Marit, just as his father had married Sonja in 1968. All of these little facts have made the royal family feel a bit more familiar and relatable.
King Harald was known as The People’s King. I always admired the way he and Queen Sonja interacted with the people of Norway as they traveled throughout the country on official business. He seemed genuinely kind, approachable, and sympathetic. King Harald was a sports enthusiast. Many referred to him as The Sports King. He not only enjoyed participating in sports himself, but he regularly attended sporting events at home and abroad to cheer on Norwegian athletes. If he had been in better health, I’m sure he would have been at the World Cup matches this past summer. I loved seeing him greet the Norwegian players upon their return home after their last match.
Credit: Kongehuset
Alongside mourning King Harald, I have been in great awe of the new King Haakon VIII (age 53) and his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (age 22). She has been sworn in officially as well and has been attending all official events with her father. All of this has been happening while his wife/her mother/the queen is recovering from a lung transplant that took place in June. Just a few days after King Harald’s death, Queen Mette-Marit experienced complications and was hospitalized, although thankfully discharged relatively quickly. I can’t imagine the stress and emotions the royal family has been experiencing during this difficult time.
Despite the controversies surrounding the Norwegian royal family in recent years, I will continue to follow and support them. I’m eager to see how King Haakon VIII fills the shoes of his father and how Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s life unfolds. I hope that Queen Sonja finds comfort in the many happy memories of her life with King Harald and that Queen Mette-Marit continues to recover and regain her health.
Are you a fan of or curious about the Norwegian royal family? Here’s some material for your viewing and reading pleasure.
Film & Miniseries (+ Book) Featuring the Norwegian Royal Family
(in historical chronological order)
Feature Film: The King’s Choice (Kongens nei) directed by Erik Poppe
This is a World War II historical drama that centers on King Haakon VII (grandfather of deceased King Harald) during the first three days of the German invasion in April 1940. He had to make the decision whether Norway should surrender or resist. (Released 2016)
PBS Masterpiece Miniseries: Atlantic Crossing
This is an eight-part historical miniseries that follows the royal family’s escape to the United States after the 1940 Nazi invasion. Crown Princess Märtha fled with her three children, including 3-year-old Prince Harald, while Crown Prince Olav and King Haakon VII joined Norway’s government-in-exile in London. After first reaching safety in Sweden, the family made its way to the United States, where they spent much time with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Released 2021)
Book: The Prince and the Nanny: The Life of Prince Harald, now King of Norway, as Told in Historical Context and Through the Journal of His Nurse, Inga Berg by Odell M. Bjerkness (Published 2009)
From the Amazon description, “While Nurse Inga Berg was living in the royal household, she was in a unique position to observe and take part in the life of the Royal Family. She recorded in her diary the young Prince’s development. She also described her everyday experiences with the royal family, providing a rare glimpse into the private lives of Crown Prince Olav, Crown Princess Martha, King Haakon, Queen Maud, Princesses Astrid and Ragnhild, and young Prince Harald.”
Amazon Prime Series: The Commoner / Harald & Sonja
This is a biographical drama series that chronicles the nine-year secret romance and struggle between then-Crown Prince Harald and commoner Sonja Haraldsen as they fought for permission to marry. The Norwegian constitution barred Harald from marrying without royal consent. (Released 2025)
Norwegians in Southern California can celebrate in person on Sunday, May 17, at the Norwegian Church’s 
Whether you’re planning a trip to the stunning fjords, the vibrant cityscapes of Oslo, or the charming coastal towns, learning Norwegian will enhance your experience and help you connect with the locals in a more meaningful way. Join Dr. Maren Anderson Johnson and learn Norwegian words and phrases. A kit of materials including workbook that supports the video instruction and a sweet treat from Vesterheim is included in the cost of registration. On-demand class content is available for 90 days from the time of purchase.
Ever wonder why sølje pins have those shiny dangles with silver disc drops? These discs are called “spoons” or “shells” in Norwegian. Silver has long been a protective element against evil and abduction by the hulder folk in Scandinavia. Legend has it that if you run into the devil wearing your sparkling sølje, he would see his own reflection and run away! Don’t run away from a chance to create your own silver- and gold-washed earrings in this short class designed to introduce you to the beauty of Scandinavian silverwork. You’ll receive a kit with the materials you need to create two pairs of earrings in a variety of combinations and instructions on how to access the online course materials. Content is available for 90 days from the time of purchase. Level of instruction is beginner friendly.
Whether you call it pulla, kardemummabröd, or coffee bread, a classic Nordic bread combines floral cardamom, a crunchy sugar topping, and a beautiful braided presentation into a show-stopping yeasted loaf. Finland and Sweden’s answer to a challa, Cardamom Bread is commonly enjoyed as part of a fika or coffee hour, but is equally at home on the breakfast table—it makes especially stellar french toast! Since it’s hard to find in bakeries, your best bet is to tackle it at home, and luckily Kristi Bissell of the blog 
Beginning June 1 and available all month, your family can participate anytime during the month when it works for your schedule! On the first of the month, you will receive an email with the links and information about how to access. The $35-per-family price covers the cost of a kit including a copy of the book, materials you’ll need for the fun hands-on activities, a fun craft, a scavenger-hunt-type adventure, and a special treat from Vesterheim.
Kristian Bugge and WB Reid’s live performance at Vesterheim will be livestreamed on Zoom for an online audience. The program will focus on tunes from the rich, Danish fiddle repertoire, spiced up with a few songs in Danish and English. Expect everything from wild polkas and groovy jigs to lyrical waltzes, fiery reels, and happy hopsas. Plus, they will play the exotic “Sønderhoning” dance tunes from the famous, Danish Island of Fanø.
Set off on your Swedish adventure with this fun class taught by Jean Hanslin. Expect lots of interaction and smiles! Over three weeks, the class will focus on letters, numbers, and greetings in dialogues, songs, and poems. This class is suitable for new beginners to Swedish (Beginning I level) of all ages, from 10 to 100. For more advanced classes with Jean Hanslin, see her upcoming classes 
Traveling to Sweden soon or just thinking about it? Want to know the essential phrases to use with your friends and relatives? Have some questions about what to see and where to go once you get there? This language and travel course, taught by Gregg White, will get the traveler to Sweden off to the right start. If you are not ready to commit to a full language course but want a brief introduction to Swedish and the lovely country where it is spoken, then this course is for you.
This course, taught by Gregg White, introduces the history of Sweden. In six weeks, this class will cover the geography (the country), the history (the nation), and the political system (the state) of Sweden. The class will learn how these three important factors shaped what we know as “Swedishness”, from the melting of the ice-age glaciers to the development of the “third way” of social democracy. Materials provided by the instructor; students will be given links to handouts they can print before each class.
Join San Francisco-based chef and author Nichole Accettola for an introduction to her newest cookbook, 
If there was ever a fruit that defined summer in the Nordic kitchen, it would be the strawberry. In honor of this spectacular fruit’s seasonal arrival, join Kristi Bissell as she demonstrates a trio of Nordic-inspired recipes from her blog 
What do mashed potatoes, shrimp salad, and curry remoulade sauce have in common? All are common hot dog toppings across Scandinavia! Whether for a quick weeknight supper or a fun summer entertaining spread, Scandinavia provides plenty of fun twists on the average hot dog. Join Kristi Bissell from the blog 
Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, facilitates a regular bokprat (book group), discussing Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. December’s discussion is a twist on the usual format and features the film Christmas as Usual available on Netflix. Thea is going to her rural hometown to celebrate a classic Norwegian Christmas with her family, but this year she’s bringing along Jashan, her Indian boyfriend, which will put everyone’s preconceived beliefs and traditions on their heads.
Join Vesterheim to ring in the New Year with some appetizers inspired by New Nordic cuisine! Celebrated chef, cookbook author, food historian, and Nordic Food Geek Patrice Johnson will demonstrate creative takes on classic appetizers. Recipes will include new spins on old favorites, something sweet, and signature cocktails/mocktails. This Vesterheim cooking class is designed as a small-group cook-along and they invite exchange between the instructor and students in order to build community around food traditions.
In January, join Vesterheim and Nick Rogness for family fun and learn some Norwegian language and culture along the way! Through hands-on activities, fun crafts, light-hearted games, and short videos, you and your family will learn and practice your new Norwegian skills. A kit will be delivered right to your home containing supplies for these language activities, a helpful reference sheet for all the new words and expressions you will be learning, a fun craft, and a yummy treat. The adventure starts on January 1 and the vocabulary and phrases will focus on the experiences of early Norwegian immigrants to the United States. It will be available all month.
Create a felted reindeer ready to take off for the North Pole in this afternoon-long class. Students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand dyed wool from instructor Laura Berlage’s own sheep into a felted reindeer complete with antlers and bell! This class builds on basic needle felting skills and is appropriate for students who have previous needle felting experience, such as one of ASI’s other ASI classes. Suitable for ages 16+. Kits ($32 value) are included in the class fee. Each kit includes the tools and materials for one student. Registration closes December 11.
Join Kristi Bissell of 
Christmas cookies are an important part of a Norwegian Christmas. The baking starts early and long standing tradition calls for syv slag, or seven varieties. The number seven was believed to bring luck and is an important religious number often symbolizing completion or perfection. The seven types are chosen based family preferences. Norwegian Christmas cookies all generally have the same basic ingredients (butter, flour, sugar, eggs) and are either baked, fried, or made with a special tool. My favorite type is 
A popular food during Christmastime is risengrynsgrøt or rice porridge. It is served with butter, cinnamon, and sugar on top, and during Christmastime, it is traditional to hide a peeled almond in it. The person who finds it receives a marzipan pig as a prize (though my family is not a fan of marzipan so we have Norwegian chocolate as prizes instead). You can 
Paper heart baskets are popular not only in Norway but also in Denmark and Sweden. During Christmas time, they are used as decorations on trees or in garlands and may even hold candies and small treats. They can be simple and extremely complex. All you need is paper, scissors, and a little tape for the handle. Single color wrapping paper and construction paper work fine for this. 
Join Vesterheim in Decorah, Iowa, for a free webinar as they celebrate Syttende Mai with friends from Norway and the United States! First Norwegian storyteller Anne Elisebeth Skogen will join the webinar from Ryfylkemuseet at Sand, Norway, to tell the story, Schoolgirl and My Very First May 17th Parade in 1962. Next, Decorah musicians Beth and Jon Rotto (playing fiddle and rhythm guitar, respectively) will offer Norwegian and Norwegian-American tunes from the Bethania Church in Vesterheim’s Heritage Park.
