Norway is mourning the death of King Harald V, who died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 am on Friday, August 28. He was 89.
The Norwegian Royal Palace announced his death later that morning, bringing an end to a reign that lasted more than 35 years.
Within hours, Norway lowered flags to half-mast as mourners gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, leaving flowers and candles in tribute to the late monarch.
As the country mourns, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has paid tribute to a king who dedicated much of his life to serving Norway.
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.
His death brings an end to a reign that began in 1991, when Harald became king. He later became Europe’s oldest reigning monarch.
In recent years, however, concerns about his health had grown. Doctors fitted him with a pacemaker in 2024, and he returned to hospital on August 17 for treatment.
Doctors later treated him for haemolytic anaemia and a serious bloodstream infection.
Despite his health struggles, Harald continued to serve as king and repeatedly rejected calls for him to step aside.
He had made it clear that he considered the oath he took when he became king a lifelong commitment.
Now, after more than three decades on the throne, Harald’s reign has come to an end.
His son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeds him as Norway’s new king.