King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89, the royal palace in Oslo announced. His son, King Haakon VIII, immediately succeeded him.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University hospital on Friday 28 August at 6.35am,” the palace said in a statement.
The new king formally notified the government of his father’s death on Friday. His wife, Mette-Marit, has recently faced scrutiny over scandals, including a widely criticized association with the late US child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
As crowds gathered outside the royal palace to pay their respects, the government announced a period of national mourning. Flags across the country were lowered to half mast, and church bells rang out at midday.
Haakon, 53, told the cabinet at an extraordinary council of state that he would take the name Haakon VIII, as expected. He also chose his personal motto: “Everything for Norway.”
The new king will swear an oath of accession in parliament within the next few days. Coronation ceremonies were abolished in Norway over a century ago, but Haakon could choose to have his reign blessed at a consecration ceremony.
The palace had said on Thursday that Harald’s health had deteriorated and that the king, seen as a unifying figure and a force for stability amid a string of recent family scandals, was in an “extremely serious” condition.
Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said he had received the news “with deep sadness.” “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,” he said.
Støre added: “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 loved Norway. And Norway loved its king.”
Royalty across Europe sent their condolences. Spain’s royal family praised Harald’s “responsibility, dignity, humility and tireless dedication,” and Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary said he was “loved like few others.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden said: “Throughout the years, King Harald has been a good friend to me, my family, and to Sweden … I wish my dear godson Haakon, who now succeeds his father as head of state, success and good fortune.”
Belgium’s royal family recalled Harald’s “humour, humanity and sincerity,” while Britain’s King Charles mourned the loss of his “dear cousin,” paying tribute to a “towering figure” who guided his country with “warmth and humility.”
The European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, said he “brought Norwegians together.” Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said Norway had “lost a great figure who stood for prudence and unity,” and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, expressed “deep sadness.”
Norway’s ceremonial head of state since 1991, Harald was being treated for haemolytic anaemia, a condition caused by an abnormally rapid destruction of the body’s red blood cells.
He had faced numerous health problems – an operation for bladder cancer in 2003 and a pacemaker fitted in 2024 – but always ruled out abdicating, saying he had taken a lifelong oath before the Norwegian parliament.
His death comes during a turbulent period for Norway’s royal family.Documents released in the US in January showed that Mette-Marit exchanged messages with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, well after his conviction.
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Haakon had taken on extra royal duties while his father was ill. Photograph: Per Ole Hagen/Getty
The files appeared to include nearly 1,000 mentions of Mette-Marit, some of them intimate. They sparked strong public criticism, with Støre making unprecedented remarks accusing her of “poor judgment.”
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Mette-Marit later issued a statement through the royal household, expressing her “deepest regret for my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein” and apologizing for “the situation that I have put the royal family in, especially the king and queen.”
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Mette-Marit had a successful lung transplant in July. Photograph: Lise Åserud/NTB Scanpix/AP
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, has also faced scrutiny after being sentenced in June to four years in prison for two rapes and 32 other charges, including violence against a former partner. He has appealed.
The scandals have hurt public support for Norway’s monarchy, with a poll in February showing support dropping to 54% from 72% in 2024. Several polls found that nearly half of the population felt Mette-Marit could not become queen.
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The royal family pictured in 2022. Front, left to right: King Harald, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Queen Sonja. Back, left to right: Marit Tjessem, the mother of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Sverre Magnus and Marius Borg Høiby. Photograph: Lise Åserud/NTB/AFP/Getty Images
Harald was seen as the great modernizer of the Norwegian monarchy, revamping the crown estates and changing how the court was run. He married Sonja, a commoner, in 1968 and welcomed two others, Mette-Marit and Ari Behn, as spouses of his children.
A great-great-grandchild of Britain’s Queen Victoria, he succeeded his father, Olav V, at the age of 54 after studying at Oxford and representing his country in sailing at the Tokyo, Mexico City, and Munich Olympics. He was widely appreciated in Norway for his modest lifestyle and commitment to national unity.
In an emotional speech in 2011, after far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 in two terror attacks, he told his people that “freedom is stronger than fear” and, as “a father, grandfather and spouse, I can only begin to sense some of the pain you feel. As king of the nation, I feel for every one of you.”
In a widely praised 2016 speech, he celebrated diversity, tolerance, and LGBTQ+ rights, saying Norwegians came from Afghanistan and Pakistan, believed “in God, in Allah and in nothing,” and included “girls who love girls, boys who love boys and girls and boys who love each other.”
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King Harald and Queen Sonja at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Photograph: Heiko Junge/Reuters
Mette-Marit, 53, who has a serious lung disease and had a transplant in July, was a single mother to Høiby, who was four years old when her engagement to Norway’s crown prince was announced in late 2000.
The marriage, which marked the first time in modern European history that a direct heir to a throne had brought a stepson into a royal family, caused huge controversy in Norway but was strongly supported by King Harald and Queen Sonja.
Mette-Marit acknowledged having what she described as a rebellious youth and prior drug use, holding an emotional press conference a week before the wedding in which she expressed regret for her choices and strongly condemned drug use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding the passing of King Harald V of Norway written in a natural and clear tone
General Official Questions
Q Is it true that King Harald of Norway has died
A Yes it is true Norways King Harald V passed away at the age of 89 The Royal House of Norway announced his passing stating he died peacefully surrounded by his family
Q When and where did King Harald die
A He died at the Royal Palace in Oslo The official announcement confirmed he passed away peacefully though the exact time of death was shared in the official statement from the palace
Q What was the cause of death
A The official statement cited old age and the complications from recent health issues The King had been in declining health for several years and had undergone multiple hospital stays and surgeries prior to his death
Q How long was King Harald the King of Norway
A He reigned for 33 years from January 17 1991 until his death in 2025 He was the first Norwegianborn monarch in over 600 years
Q Who is the new King of Norway now
A His eldest son Crown Prince Haakon immediately ascended to the throne upon his fathers death He is now King Haakon VIII
Q Will there be a period of national mourning
A Yes the Norwegian government has declared a national period of mourning Flags will fly at halfmast and official events have been postponed out of respect
The Funeral Succession
Q When will the funeral take place
A The state funeral is expected to take place about 10 to 14 days after his death The exact date will be announced by the Royal House and the government as they coordinate with foreign heads of state
Q Will the funeral be a state funeral
A Yes King Harald was given a state funeral which is the highest honor Norway can bestow It will include a military procession and a ceremony at Oslo Cathedral
Q Where will King Harald be buried
A He will be buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Akershus Fortress in Oslo alongside his wife Queen Sonja who died before him
