STORY
King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89 after a reign lasting more than 35 years. The Norwegian Royal Palace said the King died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35am local time on Friday 28 August, where he had been receiving treatment after developing haemolytic anaemia and a bacterial blood infection.
Harald became King in 1991 and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death. His reign was associated with the modernisation of Norway’s monarchy, support for greater tolerance and his response to national tragedies, particularly the terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya in 2011. A keen sailor, he also represented Norway at three Olympic Games before becoming King.
His son succeeded him immediately as King Haakon VIII under Norway’s constitutional arrangements. Several days of national mourning are expected before Harald’s funeral at Oslo Cathedral, after which he will be buried in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress. Norway does not hold coronations, although the new King will attend an extraordinary Council of State and later swear an oath before the Storting.