King Harald V of Norway dies aged 89
King Harald V of Norway, Europe's oldest monarch, has died at 89. He is remembered for modernizing the Norwegian royal house and serving through decades of economic growth.
Why it matters
His death ends a 33-year reign and triggers the succession of his son, Haakon, in a constitutional monarchy.
King Harald V of Norway, who went into exile as a child during the Nazi occupation of his homeland and refused a string of European noblewomen in order to marry his school sweetheart, has died aged 89.
The palace announced his death on Friday morning.
Norway's King Harald gives a speech during a gala dinner (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)
Harald was Europe's 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 King Haakon VIII.
Like other royal houses in Europe, the Norwegian monarchs serve a largely symbolic role, enjoying celebrity status while real power in the democracy of 5.5 million rests with an elected parliament.
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