King Harald is dead – he was 89 years old
King Harald of Norway is dead. He was 89 years old. King Harald fell asleep peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6:35 a.m., the Norwegian royal family writes on its website.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away.”
Harald became king in 1991 and was regent for 35 years. His health deteriorated in 2024, when he fell ill during a trip to Malaysia and later had a pacemaker implanted. In recent weeks, he has been treated for the blood disease hemolytic anemia.
On Friday morning, several members of the royal family gathered at the National Hospital, writes Dagbladet. Queen Sonja, 89, arrived at the hospital at 7:40 a.m., while then-Crown Prince Haakon, 53, is said to have spent the night there.
Haakon succeeds Harald as king.
Haakon is now king – will meet the government in two hours
"Haakon is now king". This is what several headlines in the Norwegian media read shortly after the announcement that King Harald had passed away.
According to the succession to the throne, Haakon automatically became king at the same moment that Harald took his last breath at 06.35 on Friday morning.
Traditionally, an extraordinary cabinet meeting will now be held at the palace where Haakon will meet the government as head of state for the first time. There, the new king will formally inform the government that King Harald has died. The meeting will be held at 11.30 today, according to Norwegian media.
Haakon will then choose a royal name and what motto he will have as head of state.
Prime Minister Støre after the news: “It is a deep sorrow”
Norwegian King Harald died at 06.35 this morning, he was 89 years old.
– It is with deep sorrow that I have received the news, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to NTB.
– Norway is now a nation in mourning, he continues.
During the day, the government will gather for an extraordinary conference. They will later meet the new king in an extraordinary cabinet meeting at the palace.
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