King Harald V of Norway Has Died After 35 Years On the Throne. Meet His Successor, Haakon
King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest monarch, died Friday at the age of 89. His son, the newly-proclaimed King Haakon VIII, has inherited the Norwegian throne. Here's what to know about the new monarch, his family controversies, and more.
King Harald V of Norway passed away at the age of 89 on Friday, leaving his son, Crown Prince Haakon, as the new monarch. The King died peacefully in his sleep at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 6:35 a.m. local time. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed gratitude for the King's long service to the nation.
Harald had been hospitalized since August 17 due to haemolytic anemia and a bacterial infection in his bloodstream. His son, then-Crown Prince Haakon, served as regent during his father's illness.
Before his reign, Haakon pursued a degree in political science at the University of California, Berkeley in 1999. He married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in 2001, and they have three children: Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Prince Marius Borg Høiby.
King Harald V is remembered for modernizing the monarchy and promoting inclusivity, advocating for Norwegians of different religions, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. Norway observed a period of mourning following the King's death, with flags at half-mast and church bells ringing. The Church of Norway will hold mourning services on the first Sunday after the King's passing.
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