OSLO — King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch and a popular figure who modernized the country’s constitutional monarchy over 35 years, died Friday at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. He was 89.
The Royal Palace announced that he “died peacefully” at 6:35 a.m. CET after being admitted on 17 August. Palace statements in the days before his death said he was being treated for haemolytic anaemia and a bloodstream infection, and that his condition had become “extremely serious.”
Harald V was born on 21 February 1937 and became king on 17 January 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V. He was Norway’s first monarch born in the country since the 14th century. His son, formerly Crown Prince Haakon, automatically succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, is now heir apparent.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the country was united in grief.
“It is with great sorrow that I received the news that His Majesty King Harald V has died,” Støre said. “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.
“For more than three decades as monarch, Harald V demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people. He helped us to see the best in ourselves – and in one another. King Harald found the words to bind us together when we needed them the most. He grieved with us after the attacks 22 July 2011. He cheered with us when Norwegian athletes excelled. And he guided us, with warmth, wisdom and openness, towards a society with a place for everyone. King Harald had a profound love for Norway. And Norway had a profound love for King Harald.
“My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the Queen and the entire Royal Family at this difficult time.”
The government convened and then held an extraordinary Council of State at the Royal Palace with the new king. Haakon VIII said he would keep the royal motto “All for Norway.” He is expected to take an oath before parliament next week. A period of national mourning has been declared until after the state funeral, whose date has not yet been announced.
Crowds gathered outside the palace in Oslo to lay flowers and flags. Later on Friday, the king’s coffin was taken from the hospital chapel to the Royal Palace. The Norwegian Armed Forces fired a 21-gun salute from Akershus Fortress. The royal standard was lowered to half-mast.
Harald is survived by Queen Sonja, his wife of nearly 58 years; their children King Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise; and their grandchildren. In recent years he had scaled back official duties after health problems, including a pacemaker fitted after an infection in 2024, but he ruled out abdication, saying his oath was for life.
