Norway royal mourning cancels events until Oct 9

Norway's King Haakon VIII has declared court mourning until October 9 after the death of his father, King Harald V, leading to the cancellation of most royal activities, the palace said Wednesday.

The palace said the royal family would cancel its official programme during the mourning period, except for constitutional obligations such as meetings of the council of state, the formal opening of parliament and some audiences.

Harald died on Friday morning aged 89 at Oslo University Hospital, where he was being treated for haemolytic anaemia, a condition caused by unusually rapid destruction of red blood cells.

Haakon became king when his father died and swore an oath in parliament on Tuesday to abide by Norway's constitution. The Norwegian monarchy has a mainly symbolic role.

Harald's funeral will be held on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral. He will then be laid to rest in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress in Oslo.

Thousands of people have lined up outside the Royal Palace chapel, where Harald is lying in state until the day before the funeral.