King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, with his son, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, immediately succeeding him as monarch. The royal palace announced that King Harald passed away peacefully on the morning of August 28 at Oslo University Hospital, where he had been admitted since August 17 due to haemolytic anaemia, a condition characterized by rapid destruction of red blood cells.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed deep sorrow upon receiving the news, stating that the nation mourns a king who devoted his life to Norway. A period of national mourning has been declared until the king’s burial. The public gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo in tribute, laying flowers and paying respects over consecutive days.
King Harald ascended to the throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He was Europe's oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death. Despite having faced multiple health challenges in recent years, Harald chose not to abdicate, citing a lifelong oath taken before the Norwegian parliament.
International leaders paid tribute to the late king. Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf described Harald as an exceptional representative of Norway who embodied the royal motto "All for Norway." Denmark’s King Frederik referred to him as an extraordinary man, while Britain’s King Charles, who is a distant relative, mourned the loss of his “dear cousin” and lauded Harald as a “towering figure.” Following the announcement, the United Kingdom lowered flags to half-mast at several royal residences, including Buckingham Palace, and held a musical tribute during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Harald’s life was marked by significant historical ties and personal choices that made him popular among Norwegians. He was born on February 21, 1937, to King Olav V and Princess Martha of Sweden, making him part of a lineage connected to the British royal family through Queen Victoria. During World War II, Harald and his family spent time in exile in Sweden and the United States while Nazi forces occupied Norway. After the war, he attended the Norwegian military college and Oxford University, and competed as a sailor in three Olympic Games.
A notable aspect of Harald’s personal life was his decision to marry Sonja Haraldsen, his school sweetheart, in 1968, rejecting arranged marriages with European nobility. The couple had two children, including Haakon, who is now king.
The Norwegian monarchy has generally maintained public support, although recent polls indicated fluctuations, with approval dipping as low as 60 percent in early 2026 before slightly rising.
The royal family has faced challenges in recent years, including scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past associations and legal issues involving her son from a previous relationship. Nonetheless, Harald's modest lifestyle and unifying presence remained central to the monarchy’s enduring appeal in Norway.