Norway's King Harald dies aged 89

Norway's King Harald V passed away at the age of 89, following a hospitalization for a rare blood condition. He died peacefully at 06:35 local time on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo. The royal flag at the palace was lowered to half-mast. Members of the royal family visited King Harald in the days leading up to his death, and crowds laid flowers at the palace. He was succeeded by his son, King Haakon.

King Harald was Norway's first king born in the country since the 14th century. He was remembered as a popular and reforming figure who modernized the monarchy, broke tradition by marrying a commoner, and served as a unifying figure during Norway's most difficult moments. He was known for being down-to-earth, respected, and beloved, often referred to as a grandfather of the nation and the People's king. The Norwegian monarchy became more egalitarian and transparent during his reign, according to historians.

Harald faced health challenges and scandal during his reign, particularly concerning his daughter-in-law Mette-Marit's association with Jeffrey Epstein and her son Marius Borg Høiby's conviction for rape. The Norwegian monarchy attracted international attention during the 2011 bomb and gun attacks, as Harald appealed for unity and rejected fear.

He welcomed home the national football team after their World Cup quarter-final appearance and was a keen athlete and environmentalist, serving as president of the Norwegian World Wide Fund for Nature chapter.

King Harald was born in 1937 on the Skaugum estate near Oslo and became crown prince in 1957. He married his commoner wife, Queen Sonja, in 1968, paving the way for his own children to marry commoners too. He became king in 1991 and faced significant challenges, including the 2011 terrorist attacks. He was a strong support for diversity and inclusivity, both in Norway and globally. Harald is survived by his wife, their daughter, their son, and six grandchildren.