Norway's King Harald dies at 89
King Harald, who has been Norway's ceremonial head of state since 1991, had always insisted he would not abdicate, saying his oath as king was for life.
Norway's King Harald, Europe's oldest living monarch, has passed away at the age of 89. He had been receiving treatment at Oslo University Hospital for a rare blood condition called hemolytic anemia since mid-August. Upon his death, Prince Haakon automatically ascends to the throne as King Haakon VIII, with his wife, Mette-Marit, becoming queen.
King Harald, who ruled since 1991, had been increasingly scaling back his official duties due to a series of health issues. Hundreds of well-wishers held a vigil outside the royal palace in Oslo overnight as the king's condition worsened. Norway has declared a period of national mourning following the king's death, with flags flown at half-mast.
King Haakon will take his oath of allegiance to the constitution in a ceremony scheduled for next Tuesday, with a brief address focusing on the monarch's limited powers.
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