King Harald V memorial book released in Norway

The book ‘Harald i våre hjerter’ (Harald in Our Hearts), subtitled ‘Fortellinger fra folket’ (Stories from the People), has been released. Originally intended as a 90th birthday celebration, the project evolved into a memorial book featuring accounts from fifty Norwegians about their encounters with King Harald V.

Contributors describe the King as an authentic figure who shared both joy and sorrow openly. One notable anecdote involves football coach Ståle Solbakken, who recalled a moment of closeness with the King following a World Cup return, an interaction that became an iconic image in the public consciousness.

Reflections on the King’s life also touch upon his historical perspective on mortality. In a 1990 interview, then-Crown Prince Harald discussed how the loss of his mother, Crown Princess Märtha, and later his father, King Olav, shaped his understanding of life. He noted that while death is a certainty for all, people in previous eras may have maintained a more natural relationship with the concept of mortality.