Norway’s King Harald has died at the age of 89 after being hospitalized for treatment for a rare blood condition. The palace in Oslo announced that the King of Norway died peacefully at 6:35 a.m. local time on Friday, August 28, at the national hospital in Oslo.
His death brings an end to a 35-year reign during which King Harald V became known as a popular and modernizing monarch who helped reshape Norway’s royal family while maintaining a close relationship with the public.
The royal flag above the palace was lowered to half-mast following the announcement, while a period of national mourning was declared ahead of his funeral. Crowds gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to leave flowers and Norwegian flags in memory of the monarch.
King Harald Dies at Oslo Hospital
Norway’s King Harald dies aged 89, after 35 years on the throne https://t.co/ViGM6wDqNo
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 28, 2026
The palace confirmed that King Harald had died peacefully after his health deteriorated in recent weeks. He had been receiving treatment for hemolytic anemia, a rare condition that causes the number of red blood cells in the body to fall.
The monarch had increasingly reduced his public duties because of health problems. In April 2024, he permanently scaled back his official engagements, with Crown Prince Haakon frequently stepping in to represent him.
Harald was admitted to hospital on August 17, with his son subsequently serving as regent and taking over his official responsibilities.
His death was met with condolences from fellow European royals. Britain’s King Charles III described Harald as his “dear cousin” and sent his most heartfelt condolences. Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf also remembered him as a close friend to himself, his family and Sweden, while wishing Haakon success as he takes on the throne.
A 35-Year Reign Comes to an End
King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89 after more than 35 years on the throne.
Harald became king in 1991 and spent decades leading Norway while working to modernize the monarchy. Born in 1937, he fled Norway with his family during World War II before returning home… pic.twitter.com/IybbP95lUl
— Complex (@Complex) August 28, 2026
Harald became king on January 17, 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V. He ruled Norway for 35 years, becoming one of the country’s most recognizable national figures.
Born on February 21, 1937, at the Skaugum estate near Oslo, Harald was the first Norwegian-born heir to the Norwegian throne in almost six centuries. His childhood was interrupted by World War II after Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940.
His mother, Crown Princess Märtha, fled the country with her children to Sweden before the family eventually traveled to the United States at the invitation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Harald returned to Norway after the war and later completed his education and compulsory military service.
He became crown prince in 1957 and studied social sciences, history and economics at Balliol College, Oxford, between 1960 and 1962.
King Harald Broke Royal Tradition
Before becoming monarch, Harald made a decision that would have a lasting effect on the Norwegian royal family when he married Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner.
The couple had been in a relationship for years before Harald was given permission to marry her. He reportedly told his father that he would remain unmarried if he could not marry Sonja. His father eventually approved the relationship, and they married at Oslo Cathedral on August 29, 1968.
Queen Sonja remained at his side for almost 58 years, becoming an important part of his public life and Norway’s modern monarchy.
Harald’s marriage also helped pave the way for his children to marry outside traditional royal circles. His son Haakon married Mette-Marit, who was a single mother at the time, while his daughter Princess Märtha Louise later married outside European royalty.
His Response to Norway’s 2011 Terror Attacks
BREAKING:
Norway’s King Harald has died at the age of 89.
This video shows Norwegians gathering yesterday in front of the Royal Palace when they heard that the King’s condition is critical
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 28, 2026
One of the defining moments of King Harald’s reign came after the 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya island.
The attacks, carried out by far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik, killed 77 people, many of them young people attending a youth camp. Harald responded with emotional speeches calling on Norwegians to stand together rather than allow fear to take hold.
His public response strengthened his reputation as a compassionate and unifying figure during national crises.
In 2016, the King of Norway again attracted international attention when he delivered a speech celebrating Norway’s religious, ethnic and sexual diversity. He emphasized that Norwegian identity could encompass people from different backgrounds, faiths and communities.
King Harald Remembered as the “People’s King”
Royal observers frequently described Harald as the “People’s king,” a title previously associated with his father, Olav V.
During his reign, the Norwegian monarchy became more open and less formal, including greater transparency around issues such as finances and health. Harald was also known for displaying humor and emotion publicly, contributing to his image as a relatable monarch.
“He has never been afraid to show emotion, humour or vulnerability, and that has made him very human,” royal expert Caroline Vagle said of the late monarch.
Harald was also passionate about sport and the environment. An accomplished sailor, he represented Norway at three Olympic Games. He was also involved in establishing the Norwegian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature and served as its president for 20 years.
Haakon Becomes Norway’s New King
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Harald is survived by Queen Sonja, Princess Märtha Louise, King Haakon and six grandchildren.
Following his father’s death, Haakon succeeds him as King of Norway at a challenging time for the royal family. The household has faced a series of health problems and controversies involving members of the family in recent years.
Haakon, 53, is expected to hold an extraordinary council of state with the Norwegian government as the country formally begins its transition to a new reign.
For Norway, however, the immediate focus is on mourning. After 35 years on the throne, King Harald leaves behind a monarchy that he helped make more modern, accessible and closely connected to the people it represents.
Featured image: @detnorskekongehu/Instagram
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