King Harald V of Norway died on Friday at the age of 89, the Norwegian Royal House announced. He passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, at 6:35 a.m. after 11 days of treatment for haemolytic anaemia and a subsequent bacterial blood infection.

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically succeeded him as King Haakon VIII under Norway’s Constitution. Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, is now first in line to the throne, followed by her brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Princess Martha Louise.

The royal family had gathered at the hospital on Thursday after the palace stated that Harald’s condition was “extremely serious.” Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and other relatives were at his bedside in his final hours. Flags at the Royal Palace in Oslo were lowered to half-mast, and mourners began leaving flowers and notes outside the palace.

Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, had ruled since 1991. He was born in Norway in 1937, the first heir to the throne born in the country in nearly 600 years. During World War II, he fled with his mother to the United States, returning after the war. In 1968, he married Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner, after a nine-year dispute with his father, King Olav V, over the match.

Harald was widely respected for his accessibility and leadership during national crises. After the 2011 far-right terrorist attacks that killed 77 people, he delivered a televised address, declaring, “Freedom is stronger than fear.” He also advocated for tolerance in a 2016 speech, supporting diversity in lifestyles, beliefs, and sexual orientations.

His death follows a period of health struggles, including a hospital stay in Malaysia in 2024 for an infection and the implantation of a pacemaker. Despite these challenges, he had repeatedly stated he would not abdicate, affirming his oath as king was for life.

The Royal Court’s official pages now list Harald’s reign as 1937–2026. An extraordinary Council of State is expected at the Royal Palace, and arrangements for a state funeral will follow.

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Koning Carl Gustaf verslagen na overlijden dierbare vriend Harald Koning Carl Gustaf van Zweden (80) heeft met groot verdriet kennisgenomen van het overlijden van zijn "dierbare vriend" Harald. De Noorse koning overleed vrijdag op 89-jarige leeftijd in het ziekenhuis in Oslo. Harald zat meer dan 35 jaar op de Noorse troon en was de oudste monarch van Europa.

rtl nieuws · about 3 hours ago

King Harald V of Norway, Europes oldest reigning monarch, dies aged 89 His death comes after a tumultuous time for the countrys royal family, which was hit by several scandals this year.

thejournal · about 3 hours ago

Norways King Harald dies at 89 after 35-year reign Norways King Harald has died aged 89, the palace said on Friday, his 53-year-old son Crown Prince Haakon automatically succeeding him on the throne. It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35am, it said in a statement. The flag at the royal palace in Oslo was lowered to half mast. Europes oldest reigning monarch, King Harald had been in hospital in Oslo...

south china morning post · about 3 hours ago

Norways King Harald in extremely serious condition, palace saysEuropes oldest reigning monarch has been in hospital in Oslo since August 17, suffering from a blood disease. #News #Norwegian #Norway #Europe

mastodon bot · about 3 hours ago

Reactions to the death of Norways King Harald reut.rs/3T3ZJRb

bluesky_Reuters · about 3 hours ago

Royaltydeskundige Annemarie de Kunder praat je bij vanuit Noorwegen na overlijden Koning Harald Koning Harald V van Noorwegen is op 89-jarige leeftijd overleden in het ziekenhuis in Oslo. Dat heeft het Noorse hof bekendgemaakt. De monarch worstelde al jaren met gezondheidsproblemen en stierf in het harnas.

rtl nieuws · about 3 hours ago

Kungen: Han gav allt för Norge Kung Haralds död sörjs inte bara i Norge. Kung Harald var en enastående representant för sitt land, skriver Kung Carl XIV Gustaf.

svenska dagbladet · about 3 hours ago

King Harald V dies at 89 as Haakon VIII takes Norwegian throne Norways King Harald V has died aged 89 after a 35-year reign. Norways Royal House said he passed away peacefully […]

euroweeklynews · about 3 hours ago

Norways King Harald dies at 89 Crown Prince Haakon accedes to the throne in a turbulent time for the royal family.

politico.eu · about 3 hours ago

JUST IN - King Harald V of Norway has died aged 89. @disclosetv

telegram_Disclose.tv · about 3 hours ago

BREAKING 🚨 Norways King Harald V dead at 89: palace

telegram_Insider Paper · about 3 hours ago

Norways King Harald has died aged 89, the palace said on Friday, his 53-year-old son Crown Prince Haakon automatically succeeding him on the throne. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. u.afp.com/SVAv

bluesky_AFP English · about 3 hours ago

🔺 BREAKING: Harald V of Norway, popular king and champion sailor, dies aged 89 ⁠ The head of state was seen by his countrymen as one of them for his open-minded, approachable manner and love of outdoor pursuits ⁠ Read our full obituary ⬇️

bluesky_The Times · about 3 hours ago

Norges kung Harald är död – en nation i sorg Kung Harald har avlidit, uppger det norska kungahuset. Han blev 89 år.

svenska dagbladet · about 4 hours ago

Norways King Harald dies at 89 King Harald, who has been Norways ceremonial head of state since 1991, has always insisted he will not abdicate, saying his oath as king was for life.

deutsche welle europe · about 4 hours ago

Norways crown prince becomes King Haakon VIII after his fathers death Norway has a new king

independent · about 4 hours ago

BREAKING: Norways King Harald, ‌a reformer who emerged from the ⁠shadow of his well-loved father over more than three decades on ‌the ⁠throne, has died aged 89, the ⁠royal palace said reut.rs/4xjfBOC

bluesky_Reuters · about 4 hours ago

King Harald V, Norways reform-minded head of state, dies at 89 reut.rs/4wW49Yl

bluesky_Reuters · about 4 hours ago

Norway awaits news on health of 89-year-old King Harald reut.rs/4zGVefZ

bluesky_Reuters · about 4 hours ago

Här är norska kungens liv i bilder Han kallades folkets kung av norrmännen.I 35 år satt han på tronen – men nu är han död, 89 år gammal.Här är några av ögonblicken som man kommer att minnas även efter hans bortgång.

expressen · about 4 hours ago

Het leven van Noorse koning Harald, die ruim 35 jaar op de troon zat Koning Harald V van Noorwegen is op 89-jarige leeftijd overleden in het ziekenhuis in Oslo. Dat heeft het Noorse hof bekendgemaakt. De monarch worstelde al jaren met gezondheidsproblemen en stierf in het harnas.

rtl nieuws · about 4 hours ago

Kung Harald går bort i en tid av kris för norska kungahuset Europas äldste regerande monark har avlidit. Kung Harald av Norge går bort under ett år när kungahuset i Norge befunnit sig i ständig kris. Men kungen har fortsatt vara en folkkär regent. Nu har han somnat in i en ålder av 89 år.

dagens nyheter · about 4 hours ago

🔴 Europes oldest monarch, King Harald V of Norway dies at 89

france24 · about 4 hours ago

Norways King Harald V dies at 89 and his son becomes king King Harald V of Norway has died at 89

abcnews · about 4 hours ago

Norways King Harald V dies at 89, his son becomes King Haakon VIII King Harald V of Norway, who had been the oldest reigning monarch in Europe, died at the age of 89, the palace announced on Friday. His son automatically became King Haakon VIII.

france24 · about 4 hours ago

Norways King Harald dead at 89 Norways King Harald V died on Friday at age 89, the royal palace announced. It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35am, it said in a statement. Harald was Europes oldest monarch. The popular king modernised the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other ageing monarchs who have abdicated in recent times. His son now automatically becomes...

south china morning post · about 4 hours ago

Norways King Harald V dies at the age of 89 palace confirms The 89-year-old had been hospitalised since 17 August with haemolytic anaemia and later developed a bacterial blood infection.

euronews · about 4 hours ago

Harald V, Norways beloved king for more than 30 years, has died Admired for his simplicity and humility, he was the first monarch born in Norway in nearly six centuries. He died on Friday at the age of 89.

le monde · about 4 hours ago

Norwegens König Harald V. stirbt im Alter von 89 Jahren Der Monarch ist um 6.35 Uhr friedlich eingeschlafen, teilt das norwegische Königshaus mit. Nach seinem Tod erbt sein Sohn Haakon den Thron.

die presse · about 4 hours ago

Le roi Harald V de Norvège est mort à lâge de 89 ans Le roi Harald V de Norvège, jusqualors doyen des souverains en Europe, est décédé vendredi à 89 ans, a annoncé le Palais royal norvégien.

rfi.fr · about 4 hours ago