Norway's King Harald dead at 89

Norway's King Harald has passed away at the age of 89, with his son Crown Prince Haakon succeeding him to the throne, according to a statement released by the palace on Friday. King Harald peacefully passed away at Oslo University Hospital on August 28 at 6:35 am (0435 GMT). The flag at the royal palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast in honor of the late monarch.

Europe's oldest reigning monarch, King Harald, had been hospitalized since August 17 due to haemolytic anaemia, a condition that leads to fatigue and shortness of breath.

His wife Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Mette-Marit, along with their adult children, spent much of Thursday at Harald's bedside as the palace announced the severity of his condition. In a display of public grief, the flag at the palace in central Oslo was covered by flowers and people huddled together on Friday. Kaspara Bolstad, a 24-year-old resident, emphasized that Harald was a very steady and warm king and a unifying figure for the Norwegian people.

Magnus Skaugseth, a 27-year-old resident, added that Harald was inclusive and committed to inclusive values in today's society.

King Harald, who ascended the Norwegian throne in 1991, had endured multiple health issues in recent years, requiring a pacemaker and a reduction in his official duties. Despite the challenges, he never considered abdicating, stating that he had sworn a lifelong oath before the Norwegian parliament. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store had cancelled his trip to Germany due to the king's deteriorating health.