OSLO — Laying flowers and embracing, thousands of people gathered in Oslo on Friday to pay their respects to Norway’s King Harald, who died Friday aged 89 after a reign of three and a half decades.

Harald’s 53-year-old son immediately succeeded him on the throne, announcing he would reign under the name King Haakon VIII.

Haakon takes over a monarchy long hailed for its modernity and modesty, but beset by a string of scandals in recent years.

A motor procession with King Harald’s casket left Oslo University Hospital on Friday evening, taking the late monarch on the 20-minute ride to the royal palace, televised images showed.

Members of the public braved the rainy weather to line the streets to catch a glimpse of the procession, which included the royal family.

King Haakon VIII had arrived at the palace just before lunch 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”.

“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,” he said.

Store was later seen laying down flowers in front of the palace.

Norway’s parliament said the new monarch would take an oath of allegiance in its main chamber on September 1.

The government announced a period of national mourning until Harald’s funeral, the date of which is yet to be set.