Norway is mourning the death of King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89 after more than three decades on the throne.
The Norwegian Royal Palace announced that the king died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am on Friday, August 28, 2026.
His 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically succeeds him as Norway’s new king.
King Dies After Serious Health Problems
Harald had been receiving treatment at the Oslo hospital since August 17 after being diagnosed with haemolytic anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.
The palace had described his condition as “extremely serious” on Thursday, prompting members of the royal family to gather at his bedside.
Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and other members of the family spent much of Thursday at the hospital.
Following the announcement of his death, the Norwegian flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast.
Public Pays Tribute
Hundreds of Norwegians gathered outside the palace to pay their respects, laying flowers and mourning a monarch widely regarded as a unifying figure.
Many described Harald as warm, approachable and committed to bringing people together.
Kaspara Bolstad, 24, said the king had been “a very steady and warm king” and a role model for many Norwegians.
Magnus Skaugseth, 27, also praised Harald for promoting inclusiveness at a time when society was becoming increasingly divided.
A King Who Refused To Abdicate
Harald became king in 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V.
During his reign, he faced several health challenges, including infections and other medical problems that eventually led to him receiving a pacemaker.
His health problems forced him to reduce his official duties, but Harald repeatedly rejected suggestions that he should abdicate.
He had previously said that he had made a lifelong commitment to his role when he took his oath before Norway’s parliament.
A Difficult Year For The Royal Family
Harald’s death comes after a particularly difficult period for the Norwegian royal family.
In February, the king was hospitalised in Tenerife after suffering from an infection and dehydration while on a private trip with Queen Sonja.
Queen Sonja was also briefly hospitalised in May after experiencing heart problems.
The family has faced further controversy surrounding Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her son, Marius Borg Høiby.
Mette-Marit has faced scrutiny over her reported connections to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while Høiby has faced serious legal problems.
He was sentenced in June to four years in prison after being convicted of rape and other offences, though he has appealed the verdict.
Mette-Marit has also been battling a serious lung condition and underwent a lung transplant in July.
Haakon Becomes King
With Harald’s death, Crown Prince Haakon immediately becomes Norway’s new monarch.
The succession brings an end to Harald’s 35-year reign and begins a new chapter for Norway’s constitutional monarchy.
Despite the controversies surrounding other members of the royal family, the monarchy has remained broadly popular among Norwegians, with Harald’s reputation as a modest and unifying king playing a major role in maintaining public support.
Norway now prepares to bid farewell to a monarch who spent more than three decades representing the country at home and abroad.
