Norway mourns King Harald as new era begins under Haakon VIII
Norway is in a period of national mourning following the death of King Harald at age 89. His son, Haakon VIII, has immediately ascended to the throne and is scheduled to take the oath before parliament.
Why it matters
The transition marks a significant shift in the Norwegian monarchy, which is currently navigating both a change in leadership and recent public scandals.
King Harald, Europe’s oldest monarch, was viewed as a reformer who embraced inclusivity.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Flowers and candles in Palace Square in Oslo for King Harald of Norway, August 28, 2026. [AFP] By Al Jazeera Staff , AFP and Reuters Published On 29 Aug 2026 29 Aug 2026 Norwegians are saying goodbye to King Harald at the Royal Palace in Oslo where he lies in state, with many well-wishers remembering a unifying leader who was on the throne for 35 years.
A national period of mourning was declared in the Nordic kingdom following the death of Europe’s oldest monarch on Friday , aged 89. Thousands have gathered in the capital since then to pay their respects and lay flowers. He was known in Norway as a reformer and the embodiment of a tolerant and open nation who embraced inclusivity.
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