Norway’s King Harald V dies at 89; his son becomes King Haakon VIII
King Harald V of Norway has passed away at the age of 89, ending his reign as Europe's oldest monarch. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has automatically succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
Why it matters
The transition marks a significant moment for the Norwegian monarchy, which maintains a symbolic role in the country's democratic framework.
King Harald V of Norway, who went into exile in the United States as a child during the Nazi occupation of his homeland and refused a string of European noblewomen to marry his school sweetheart, died on Friday (August 28, 2026). He was 89.
The palace said he died at the National Hospital in Oslo at 6:35 a.m.
Harald was Europe’s oldest monarch. The popular king modernised the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have abdicated in recent times. His son automatically became King Haakon VIII.
Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon | Photo Credit: AP
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