Norway, in mourning, enters a new era under King Haakon VIII

Norway opened a new chapter in its history on Saturday under King Haakon VIII, after the death of his father Harald, a unifying figure who was on the throne for 35 years.

A national period of mourning was declared in the Scandinavian kingdom following the king's death on Friday at 6:35 am (0435 GMT), at aged 89.

Hugging and laying flowers, thousands of people gathered in the capital, Oslo, on Friday to pay their respects.

Haakon, 53, takes over a monarchy hailed for its modernity and modesty but which has been beset by a string of recent scandals.

"An era has ended. A new one begins. The king is dead. Long live the king," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a speech shortly after meeting the new monarch.

"We will remember King Harald for his love for his people, for his humour and warmth, and for his unwavering faith in us."

Well-wishers lined the streets to watch a motorcade bring Harald's casket from Oslo University Hospital to the royal palace on Friday evening.

Haakon arrived at the palace earlier with his 22-year-old daughter Ingrid Alexandra -- the new crown princess -- to formally inform the government of his father's death.

In a statement, Haakon thanked "the government and Norwegian people for their support and sympathy for the Royal Family at this time".

Norway's parliament said the new monarch would take an oath of allegiance in its main chamber on Tuesday.

The period of national mourning will last until Harald's funeral, the date of which is yet to be set.

Haakon is not expected to be crowned -- a practice abolished in 1908.

But like his father and grandfather before him, he could choose to have his reign blessed during a ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral, where Norwegian kings were crowned between 1814 and 1906.