King Haakon makes first trip

King Haakon VIII of Norway has made his first trip as King.

The King visited Narvik, which was the site of the first major Allied victory over Nazi Germany in 1940. The port of Narvik was one of four Nordic ports that received Allied reinforcements.

He began the visit at the home of Magne Øymo in Bjerkvik north of Narvik. Magne Øymo witnessed the events in 1940. On 12 May 1940, British navy vessels entered the Ofotfjord after receiving information that Bjerkvik had evacuated its civilians and was now serving as a German base. This proved to be incorrect.

Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

During the night, the British fired on Bjerkvik, killing 18 civilians, including Magne Øymo’s mother and five-year-old twin brother. The event was initially covered up, but last February, Magne Øymo was awarded the Army Medal of Merit for his efforts as a contemporary witness.

The King then came to the Town Hall Square, where he enjoyed several musical performances, such as the women’s choir Kor Arti, which performed the song created for the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships in Narvik. King Haakon also held a speech, in which he said, “I would like to extend a big and warm thank you to all of you from our family for sharing our grief and loss with us. When there are many of us who share the grief, it becomes easier to bear.”

After the Town Hall Square, the King travelled to the Narvik Centre, a museum about the battles of Narvik and the Second World War in northern Norway. He learned more about the museum’s activities and met with young people.

Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

After laying a wreath at the Trinigon freedom monument, King Haakon toured the Ofoten fire station. Following a demonstration, the King operated a firefighting robot.

King Haakon will continue his visit in northern Norway today as he visits Finnmark.