Did the grief over King Harald's death save Norway's monarchy? | DW News

By DW News

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Can the death of the king actually save the monarchy? Norway’s King Harald V died at the age of 89 after 35 years on the throne and his death appears to have done something unexpected: revived support for the monarchy. In the years before his death, scandals involving members of the royal family had pushed approval to its lowest levels in decades. But almost overnight, that support bounced back. DW’s Ole Alsaker looks at why collective grief can strengthen people’s attachment to the monarchy. Professor Claire White explains how shared mourning can turn an individual experience of grief into a powerful sense of national unity. And Norwegian political editor Kjetil Alstadheim examines why many Norwegians have separated the scandals surrounding individual royals from their support for the monarchy itself. As Norway enters a new era under King Haakon, can grief really overcome scandal and was the monarchy ever truly at risk? For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social

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