Norway’s King Harald dies aged 89

King Harald V of Norway died on Friday, 28 August, at the age of 89, the royal palace in Oslo announced. The 89‑year‑old monarch, Europe's oldest reigning sovereign, passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35 a.m. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, immediately succeeded him as King Haakon VIII, choosing the personal motto “Everything for Norway.” Haakon will be sworn in by oath in parliament within the next few days; a coronation ceremony is optional, as Norway abolished formal coronations over a century ago.

The announcement came amid a turbulent period for the Norwegian royal family. Crown Princess Mette‑Marit has been the focus of public criticism after documents released in the United States in January revealed that she had corresponded with the late U.S. financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. The files contained almost 1,000 mentions of her, including intimate exchanges, and sparked a debate about her judgment. Mette‑Marit subsequently issued a statement apologising for the friendship and the “situation” it had created for the royal family, particularly for the king and queen. The controversy has coincided with a decline in public support for the monarchy: a February poll found approval at 54 % compared with 72 % in 2024, and nearly half of respondents believed Mette‑Marit could not become queen.

The palace said that King Harald’s health had deteriorated in recent weeks. He had been treated for haemolytic anaemia, a condition that causes rapid destruction of red blood cells, and had undergone surgery for bladder cancer in 2003 and received a pacemaker in 2024. Despite these ailments, he had refused to abdicate, citing a lifelong oath to the Norwegian parliament.

In response to the king’s death, the Norwegian government declared a period of national mourning. Flags across the country were lowered to half mast and church bells rang at midday. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed deep sadness and praised the king’s unwavering faith in the Norwegian people, saying that Harald had “helped us to see the best in ourselves, and in one another.” He added that Norway had “a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway.”

European monarchs and leaders sent condolences. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden described Harald as a good friend and wished success to Haakon. King Frederik V and Queen Mary of Denmark said the late king was loved by many. Belgium’s royal family recalled his humour, humanity and sincerity, while King Charles III of the United Kingdom mourned the loss of a “dear cousin” and praised Harald’s warmth and humility. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said he “brought Norwegians together,” and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that Norway had lost a figure who stood for prudence and unity. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed deep sadness.

The king’s reign, which began in 1991, was marked by modernization of the crown estates and a more inclusive approach to the royal household. He married Queen Sonja, a commoner, in 1968 and welcomed the spouses of his children—Mette‑Marit and Ari Behn—into the family, a move that was controversial at the time but ultimately accepted. Harald was known for his modest lifestyle, his commitment to national unity, and his willingness to speak out on social issues. In 2011, after the far‑right terrorist attacks that killed 77 people, he urged that “freedom is stronger than fear.” In 2016 he celebrated diversity and LGBTQ+ rights in a widely praised speech.

The king’s death also brings attention to the case of Marius Borg Høiby, Mette‑Marit’s son from a previous relationship. Høiby was sentenced in June to four years in prison for rape and other offences, and he has appealed. His case has further strained public opinion about the royal family, contributing to the decline in support for the monarchy.

As the nation mourns, Norway will observe a period of national mourning while Haakon prepares to assume his new role. The royal palace will arrange for the king’s burial and for Haakon’s accession ceremonies in the coming weeks, marking the end of an era for Norway’s monarchy.