Norway mourns King Harald as son Haakon inherits throne

Norwegians have gathered in mourning at Palace Square in central Oslo to pay tribute to their late king, many with tears in their eyes as they laid flowers following the news of the death of Harald V.

Europe's oldest reigning monarch Harald, 89, died peacefully at 6.35am on Friday at Oslo University Hospital, according to the Royal Court.

His son, who had kept vigil at his bedside along with other family members, inherited the throne and will be known as Haakon VIII, the Royal Court said, while his wife Mette-Marit is to be queen.

His oldest child becomes Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and the heir to the throne.

Thousands of people accompanied the late king on his final journey to the Royal Palace in the evening.

His coffin was transported in a funeral procession consisting of several vehicles from the hospital towards the palace in the centre of the Norwegian capital.

Despite the pouring rain, the streets along Harald's route were lined with people bidding him farewell, some holding umbrellas and others waving Norwegian flags.

Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit and other close relatives of the late head of state followed the hearse in other vehicles.

The coffin containing Harald's body is to be laid in state later in the palace chapel.

Members of the public will then be able to pay their respects to their long-serving monarch until the funeral.

Haakon VIII will take his oath of allegiance to the constitution at 1pm on Tuesday.

The date was announced to the broadcaster NRK on Friday by the Speaker of the Norwegian parliament Masud Gharahkhani.

The oath is mandatory for the new monarch and will take place in the parliament, known as the Storting, close to the palace.

The new king will also deliver a short address, which will be televised.