Norway's King Harald dies, Haakon ascends to the throne
King Harald V of Norway has passed away at the age of 89 following a recent hospitalization. Crown Prince Haakon is set to ascend to the throne as the country enters a period of national mourning.
Why it matters
The death of a long-reigning monarch marks a significant transition for the Norwegian state and the European royal landscape.
King Harald, pictured in 2024. ( Reuters: NTB/Cornelius Poppe )
Norway's King Harald has died, the country's royal palace has announced.
The 89-year-old had been in hospital for more than a week.
Link copied Share Share article King Harald V of Norway has died, according to the European country's royal court.
"King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, 28 August," the royal palace said on its website.
Harald, who was Europe's oldest living monarch, was taken to hospital on August 17.
The palace said he was treated for a bacterial infection in his blood.
"A whole nation is in mourning, and the people of Norway are left with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway," the country's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said in a statement.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in