Norway flags at half-mast as tributes paid to King Harald V

LOCAL tributes have been paid to King Harald V of Norway, who has died earlier today (Friday) in Oslo at the age of 89.

Two Norwegian flags are flying at half-mast at the front of Lerwick Town Hall this afternoon.

Weather permitting, the Norwegian flag will also fly at half-mast on the day of the funeral in Oslo, with the date expected to be announced in the coming days.

Shetland Islands Council’s depute convener Catherine Hughson said: “We send our deepest condolences to the Norwegian royal family and the people of Norway as they mourn the loss of their king”.

“Shetland has always felt a strong bond of friendship with our neighbours across the North Sea, that has grown over generations and through hardship at times,” she added.

Shetland’s lord lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch added: “King Harald V was a popular monarch for 35 years since he took the throne in 1991.

“With our historic ties to Norway, we share our grief with Norwegians at today’s sad news of the death of King Harald V and extend our deepest sympathies to King Hakkon VIII, who succeeds his father, and to Queen Sonja and the wider Royal Family.”

Shetland has strong historic and cultural bonds with Norway, starting from the earliest Norse settlers and was ruled by Norway until 1469.

Norse heritage has influenced local place names and traditions, and the Shetland Bus operations in World War Two strengthened the historic ties with Norway.

There are also celebrations in Shetland to mark Norwegian Constitution Day on 17 May.