King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89. The Royal Palace of Norway announced that the monarch passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital early Friday morning, August 28. Harald, who was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, had recently been hospitalized after developing a bacterial infection in his bloodstream.
Harald V had received medical treatment for several health problems in recent years. In 2024, he fell ill during a private trip to Malaysia and, following his return to Norway, underwent a procedure to have a pacemaker fitted. His health had repeatedly drawn public attention in the final years of his life.
He also received treatment for a skin infection while visiting Spain’s Canary Islands in February this year. His health problems, combined with his advanced age, led to a reduction in his participation in some official engagements, although Harald remained committed to carrying out his royal duties until the end of his life.
Harald V was born on February 21, 1937, in Skaugum, near Oslo, the capital of Norway. He was the only son of Crown Prince Olav, the future King of Norway, and Princess Märtha. He was the first Norwegian prince to be born on Norwegian soil in 567 years.
When Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Harald left the country with his family as a child. He spent part of the Second World War in the United States before returning to Norway after the war. He later became one of the most prominent members of the Norwegian royal family.
Following the death of King Haakon VII in 1957, Harald became Crown Prince of Norway. In the years that followed, he took part in official engagements and public affairs as crown prince, spending several decades preparing to assume the throne.
Harald became King of Norway on January 17, 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V. After ascending to the throne, he swore an oath before the Norwegian Parliament. His reign lasted more than 35 years and was marked by significant social and political changes in Norway.
Following Harald V’s death, his son Haakon, 53, succeeded him and became Norway’s new king. Haakon had previously served as crown prince and frequently represented his father at official events and royal engagements.
In 2024, Harald said that, given his age and health, he would reduce the number of his official engagements, but he ruled out abdication. He said the oath he took upon becoming king was a lifelong commitment.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
