Norway’s King Harald Dies At 89, Crown Prince Haakon Succeeds Him

Norway’s King Harald has died at the age of 89, the Norwegian royal palace announced on Friday.

Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 a.m. local time on Friday, August 28, after being hospitalised for more than a week.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today,” the palace said in a statement.

Following his death, the Norwegian flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast.

Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, had been receiving treatment at the hospital since August 17 for haemolytic anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced, potentially causing fatigue and shortness of breath.

His condition deteriorated sharply on Thursday, with the palace describing it as “extremely serious.”

Members of the royal family rushed to his bedside, including his wife, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, and their adult children. Norwegian media reported that Haakon remained at the hospital overnight to keep vigil beside his father.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, automatically succeeds his father as Norway’s monarch.

News of Harald’s death prompted an outpouring of grief in Oslo, with members of the public gathering outside the Royal Palace to lay flowers and pay their respects.

Kaspara Bolstad, 24, described the late king as “a very steady and warm king.”

“I think the entire Norwegian people see him as a role model and as someone who brings people together. Whether you’re for or against the monarchy, I think he’s well-liked across the board,” she said.

Magnus Skaugseth, 27, also praised Harald’s commitment to unity and inclusion.

“He was so inclusive and committed to having values that are inclusive in the society we live in today. When there is so much division and polarisation, he was a pillar pointing in the opposite direction,” Skaugseth said.

Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V.

During his reign, he became known for his modest and approachable public image and his role as a unifying figure in Norwegian society.

His health had deteriorated in recent years, with several illnesses forcing him to reduce his official duties and undergo medical treatment, including the fitting of a pacemaker.

Despite his health problems, Harald repeatedly ruled out abdication, saying he had taken a lifelong oath before the Norwegian parliament.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store cancelled a planned trip to Germany on Thursday as concerns over the king’s deteriorating condition grew.

Harald’s death comes after a difficult year for the Norwegian royal family, which has faced a series of health and legal controversies.

In February, the king was hospitalised in Tenerife after suffering an infection and dehydration while on a private holiday with Queen Sonja.

Queen Sonja, also 89, was briefly admitted to hospital in May after experiencing heart problems.

The king’s death also comes amid scrutiny surrounding Crown Prince Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, over her reported ties to the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, has also faced significant legal troubles.

Høiby was sentenced in June to four years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape and 32 other charges, including violence against a former partner. He has appealed the verdict.

Mette-Marit, who is 53, has also faced serious health challenges and underwent a lung transplant in July after suffering from a serious lung disease.

Despite the controversies surrounding the royal family, the Norwegian monarchy remains broadly popular, with Harald’s reputation for humility, accessibility and national unity contributing significantly to its public standing.