Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89 after a prolonged period of health problems.
The Royal Palace in Oslo confirmed that the monarch died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time on Friday. The Norwegian royal flag was lowered to half-mast following his death.
Harald had been receiving treatment in hospital since 17 August for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood disorder. He was later treated for a bacterial infection in his blood, with his condition deteriorating in the days before his death.
His death brings an end to a 35-year reign during which Harald became widely regarded as a popular and approachable monarch who helped modernise Norway’s royal institution.
His only son, Crown Prince Haakon, has succeeded him as king. An extraordinary Council of State is expected to be held at the Royal Palace, formally marking the transition to the new reign.
A popular and reform-minded monarch
Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He was Norway’s first monarch born on Norwegian soil in almost six centuries.
During his reign, he helped move the monarchy towards a more modern and inclusive institution. He was particularly known for his willingness to speak openly about diversity, religion, sexuality and national identity.
Following the 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya, where 77 people were killed by far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik, Harald delivered an emotional message to the country, expressing solidarity with victims and their families.
He also made headlines in 2016 with a speech celebrating Norway’s multicultural society and its diversity of religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations.
The king was frequently described as down-to-earth and close to ordinary Norwegians, earning a reputation as the country’s “People’s King”.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Harald had demonstrated an unwavering belief in the Norwegian people and helped unite the country during difficult moments.
Harald’s own marriage helped reshape Norway’s royal family.
He married Sonja Haraldsen, the daughter of a businessman, in 1968 after a nine-year relationship. At the time, his father had hoped that the future king would marry a European princess.
Harald reportedly told his father that if he could not marry Sonja, he would remain unmarried. The couple eventually received permission to marry and wed at Oslo Cathedral.
Their relationship helped pave the way for future members of the Norwegian royal family to marry outside traditional royal circles.
Harald and Queen Sonja were married for almost 58 years and had two children, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise.
King Harald V, born on 21 February 1937, led a life shaped by Norway’s wartime occupation, a lifelong passion for sailing and environmentalism, and later health challenges, remaining a popular monarch despite controversies surrounding the wider royal family.
Tributes have been pouring in following the king’s death.
Britain’s King Charles III expressed his “most heartfelt condolences”, while Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf described Harald as a good friend to him, his family and Sweden.
Harald is survived by Queen Sonja, his daughter Princess Märtha Louise, his son King Haakon and six grandchildren.
As Norway begins a new chapter under King Haakon, Harald will be remembered for his long service to the country, his modernisation of the monarchy and his role as a unifying figure during some of Norway’s darkest moments.