Norway's King Harald V dies and his son becomes King Haakon VIII

Stavanger, Norway - King Harald V of Norway, who spent his childhood in exile in the United States during the Nazi occupation of his homeland, passed away on Friday at the age of 89. The palace announced that he had died at the National Hospital in Oslo at 6:35 a.m. As Europe's oldest monarch, Harald modernized the royal house but chose not to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have recently abdicated. His son, Haakon VIII, automatically became the new king.

In Norway, the monarchs play a largely symbolic role, serving as a symbol of national unity while the real power lies with an elected parliament. Harald ascended to the throne after the death of his British-born father, King Olav V, in January 1991. He reigned during a period of economic prosperity driven by oil and gas in the country.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his condolences, stating that "a whole nation is in mourning and the people of Norway are left with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway."