King Harald asks people to think about what they are grateful for

King Harald asked Norwegians to think about what they are grateful for at the end of the year.

The King began his remarks by looking back on the county visits he and Queen Sonja had taken throughout Norway, and the joy it brought them to spend time with the people. He called it “pure vitamin infusion.”

He then turned to Norway’s participation in the upcoming World Cup in North America and how much he is looking forward to watching.

King Harald touched on the daily struggles and ongoing conflicts in the world.

“We suffer with our fellow human beings in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. And we are outraged by the lack of agreement on just, lasting solutions,” he said.

King Harald also took time to call on people to remember the good. He said, “Still: We have so much good and important to take care of. That we have built together, that we must preserve together, and that we continue to create together. We must contribute where we can. Both in the big and the small.”

Later, His Majesty spoke about gratitude and for what he and Queen Sonja are thankful. He then called on Norwegians to remember to be grateful.

“Perhaps we should start every day by asking ourselves that question. The answers will probably be as many and as varied as we are people in this country. But one thing I hope we share: Gratitude for our everyday democracy. And that together we will do our best to take care of it – and choose the good when we can,” he concluded.