King Harald V of Norway Dies at 89 After 35 Years on the Throne

King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, bringing an end to a 35-year reign.

The Norwegian monarch died peacefully on Aug. 28 at Oslo University Hospital after being hospitalized with a blood infection, the Royal Palace confirmed.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of grief across Norway. Mourners gathered outside the hospital and around the Royal Palace, leaving flowers, cards and Norwegian flags as flags across the country were lowered to half-mast.

Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He was the only son of Olav and Princess Märtha of Sweden and was the first Norwegian-born monarch to sit on the throne since the 14th century.

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeded him following his death.

Harald’s childhood was shaped by World War II. In 1940, the Norwegian royal family fled Oslo after Nazi Germany invaded the country. After spending time in Sweden, Harald and his family eventually traveled to the United States, where they remained for the rest of the war.

He returned to Norway in 1945 and later graduated from the Norwegian Military Academy in 1959.

In 1968, Harald married Sonja Haraldsen at Oslo Cathedral after nearly a decade together. Their marriage was initially controversial because Sonja was a commoner.

Harald reportedly told his father that if he could not marry Sonja, he would never marry. Despite concerns within the royal family, the couple’s wedding was warmly welcomed by the Norwegian public. Queen Sonja went on to become one of Norway’s most beloved royal figures.

During his reign, Harald was known for helping modernize the monarchy and for opening the royal family to greater media access. He and Sonja also supported their children as they chose to marry commoners.

The king was also recognized for his support of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. In a widely praised 2016 speech, he emphasized that Norway belonged to everyone, regardless of who they loved or where they came from.

Following Harald’s death, King Charles III expressed his sorrow over the loss of his distant relative and longtime friend.

“For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication,” Charles said, praising the late monarch’s warmth, humility and deep sense of duty.

Norway now begins a new chapter under King Haakon VIII, as the country mourns the passing of a monarch who spent more than three decades serving his nation.

Other Royal News

Elsewhere in the royal world, the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro in Uganda was also announced. The king, who ascended the throne as a young child in 1995, died at the age of 34.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing for an extended stay in the United Kingdom. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, are expected to attend school in Britain this fall, although the couple is reportedly keeping their California home.

Meghan Markle also recently received her first Daytime Emmy nomination for her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which was nominated for Outstanding Lifestyle Program.