Norway mourns King Harald as Haakon VIII ascends throne

Norwegians are grieving the death of the beloved King Harald V, as a period of national mourning begins and his son Haakon VIII assumes the throne.

After Harald's death was announced early on Friday, crowds amassed at the royal palace in Oslo, laying flowers and flags, some mourners visibly in tears.

The 53-year-old new king held an extraordinary council of state meeting with government ministers, saying he was taking on the royal family's motto "All for Norway".

Harald - who was on the throne for 35 years - died in hospital at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) aged 89, after being treated there for a rare blood condition. His coffin was later taken to the palace in a public procession.

An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets in the capital to see the late king go past, Norway's public broadcaster reported.

The late monarch has been described as an inclusive, transparent and empathetic "people's king" who modernised the Norwegian monarchy.

European royals, including King Charles III - whose mother Queen Elizabeth II was Harald's second cousin - as well as political leaders and ordinary citizens, paid tribute to his service and the stability he brought to the country.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who laid flowers outside the palace and signed a book of condolences after greeting the new king, said the country was "united in grief and gratitude".