King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89. On Friday, the Royal Palace in Oslo confirmed that King Harald had died “peacefully” at 6:35 a.m. local time that day at the Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. The King’s death came after he was hospitalized last week for a rare blood condition.
Harald was born on February 21, 1937, and became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He was the first Norwegian monarch to be born in Norway since King Olav IV in 1370. During his reign, he modernized the monarchy while maintaining deep public affection. He often used his platform to highlight environmental issues and emphasized the importance of solidarity, once stating that Norwegian society was founded on “tolerance, respect, and that everyone is equal, regardless of background.”
He married his wife Sonja in 1968 after a nine-year courtship, a union that initially stirred controversy due to her commoner status. The couple had two children together, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise. His willingness to speak openly about his own struggles with depression and physical challenges made him beloved across the country and beyond.
The monarch is immediately succeeded by his only son, Crown Prince Haakon. King Harald is also survived by his wife, Queen Sonja; their daughter, Princess Märtha Louise; his elder sister, Princess Astrid; his grandchildren and other members of the Norwegian royal family. King Haakon will ascend the throne.
