Norway's King Harald dies aged 89
The late king, who reigned for 35 years, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner and celebrated Norway's diversity in a famous speech.
Norway's King Harald V has passed away at the age of 89, according to the palace in Oslo. He was taken to the national hospital in Oslo last week due to treatment for a rare blood condition and died peacefully at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) on Friday. Members of the royal family had visited him in the 24 hours leading up to his death and crowds had gathered at the palace to lay flowers.
Harald was Norway's first king born in the country since the 14th century, and he is succeeded by his son, King Haakon. The king will be remembered as a popular and reforming figure, who modernized the monarchy, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner, and served as a unifying figure during difficult times for Norway.
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