Norway's King Harald V dies at 89, Haakon VIII succeeds to the throne

OSLO — Norway's King Harald V died at the age of 89 early on Friday, the Royal House of Norway said.

The king passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 6:35 am, according to a statement issued by the Royal House.

Under Norway's rules of succession, 53-year-old Crown Prince Haakon immediately succeeded to the throne and became the country's new king. The new monarch has taken the name King Haakon VIII, the royal palace said in a post on Instagram on Friday.

The new king has chosen the personal motto "Everything for Norway", in keeping with the motto picked by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather since Norway's modern-day monarchy was established in 1905.

Harald was admitted to the hospital on Aug 17. The Royal House previously said he had received cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks, which caused fluid accumulation. During his hospitalization, he was also treated with antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood.

The Royal House said on Thursday that Harald's health had deteriorated and his condition was "very serious".

Born on Feb 21, 1937, Harald ascended to the throne on Jan 17, 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V. He had been hospitalized several times in recent years and received a permanent pacemaker in 2024.

Haakon was born on July 20, 1973. He had served as regent on multiple occasions when his father was ill or abroad. Haakon's eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now Norway's crown princess and the heir to the throne.

Europe's oldest monarch

Harald was Europe's oldest monarch. The king modernized the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have abdicated in recent times.

Like other royal houses in Europe, the Norwegian monarchs serve a largely symbolic role, enjoying celebrity status while real power rests with an elected parliament.

"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," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.

"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."

Harald was 3 years old when the Nazis occupied Norway at the start of World War II. To avoid capture, his mother fled with him and his sisters, Ragnhild and Astrid, first to Sweden and then by boat to the US, while Harald's father and grandfather went into exile in Britain with Norway's government. The family was reunited in Norway in June 1945, shortly after the end of the war in Europe.

A large crowd gathered outside the palace in Oslo on Thursday, holding their breath for Harald's health, with many staying late into the night, laying flowers and spontaneously singing the national anthem.

Kaspara Bolstad, 24, told AFP Harald had been "a very steady and warm king".

Other European monarchs have paid tribute to Harald.

The kings of Denmark and Sweden called him an "extraordinary" leader and good friend who unified his country.

Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on Friday expressed their "great sadness", saying his "humor, humanity and sincerity made him a truly special man".

The United Kingdom's King Charles III mourned the loss of his "dear cousin" King Harald, paying tribute to a "towering figure" who guided his country with "warmth and humility".

The two men were second cousins once removed, both being descendants of Britain's King Edward VII.

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