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King Harald V of Norway dies at 89 after 35 years on the throne

King Harald V of Norway has passed away at 89, after a long reign of 35 years, leaving his son Haakon as the successor.

28 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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King Harald V of Norway dies at 89 after 35 years on the throne — Photo: Sámediggi - Sametinget · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

King Harald V of Norway died at the age of 89, as announced by the Royal Palace on Friday, October 28. The monarch, who had been hospitalized since August 17 due to complications related to a blood disease, was the oldest monarch in Europe, having ascended to the throne in 1991.

Throughout his more than three-decade reign, Harald V became known as a reformer and was involved in various social and cultural causes in the country, seeking to modernize the image of the Norwegian monarchy. His passing comes at a challenging time for the royal family, which has faced multiple crises in recent years.

Following Harald's death, his son Haakon automatically ascends the throne, becoming the new king of Norway. His eldest daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, becomes the crown princess at the age of 22, in line with the new succession rules.

The confirmation of the death was marked by the lowering of the flag to half-mast at the Royal Palace in Oslo, a tradition that honors deceased members of the crown. Harald V was also nearing 28 years of marriage to Queen Sonja, whose relationship has been widely admired throughout his reign.

Reactions to the death of Harald V came from various European monarchies. King Charles III of the United Kingdom expressed his condolences.

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