Outpouring of grief in Norway after King Harald V dies, aged 89

There’s an outpouring of grief in Norway following the death of Europe’s oldest-reigning monarch, King Harald V, on Friday at the age of 89.

Floral tributes outside the palace grew rapidly in the hours after the news was announced, as thousands turned out to pay their respects to the late king, who they say was “like a grandfather”.

Harald’s son has now acceded to the throne, becoming King Haakon VIII following a short ceremony in parliament. Haakon’s daughter is now the first Crown Princess of Norway.

The Norwegian royal family’s website went dark with a portrait of the late king and the short statement announcing his passing on Friday morning (evening AEST).

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald today,” the announcement began.

“King Harald passed away peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6.35am.”

King Harald had a 35-year reign and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death.

The monarch’s coffin will be transported from the National Hospital to the Royal Palace with a royal procession to follow the bier at about 6.30pm (2.30am AEST).

Family members had raced to his hospital bedside after his health took a turn for the worst on Thursday, after the king had developed a serious blood infection.

King Harald was admitted to Oslo University Hospital, also known as the National Hospital, on August 17, after experiencing severe fluid retention caused by cortisone therapy.

The monarch had been undergoing treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a blood condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can generate them.

His condition deteriorated when doctors diagnosed a secondary bacterial infection in his blood, requiring aggressive intravenous antibiotic treatment.

Senior members of the royal family cancelled scheduled official duties to remain at the hospital, including his wife of 57 years, Queen Sonja, and Crown Prince Haakon, who had been serving as Regent during his father’s illness.

Tellingly, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also cancelled an official trip to Germany to be close to home and monitor developments.

The king’s eldest child, Princess Märtha Louise, has been spending time with her father at Oslo University Hospital. Her husband Durek Verrett is in the same hospital, having recently undergone a kidney transplant.

The late monarch is being remembered for not just his decades on the throne but also his athleticism in his younger years, having competed in three Olympic Games.

He took part in sailing events at Tokyo 1964 (where he was also Norway’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony), as well as Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972.

The yachtsman was named world champion in 1987 after he skippered Fram X to win the One-Ton World Championship off Kiel, Germany.

He was later named European champion in sailing in 2005 and still went on to compete in an international regatta in 2022, at the age of 85.

A new king

Upon King Harald’s death, Crown Prince Haakon acceded to the throne as King of Norway.

The official succession was formalised through a proclamation before the Council of State and an oath taken in Parliament.

“In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, I have assumed the government as King of Norway,” Haakon said in a short speech to the Prime Minister and members of Parliament.

“I will take the name Haakon VIII and will continue the same motto that my father, grandfather and great-grandfather chose: ‘Everything for Norway’.”

This will now be followed by a national mourning period, which will last until the day of the late king’s state funeral, which is yet to be announced.

Line of succession

King Harald V, who took the throne in 1991, repeatedly stated his oath to the Norwegian Parliament was lifelong, ruling out abdication despite years of mobility and health struggles.

Under the Norwegian Constitution, the nation’s governance remained fully operational during a monarch’s illness, with Crown Prince Haakon automatically assuming all constitutional duties as Regent, signing state papers and leading the Council of State.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now heir apparent.

The 22-year-old lived in Australia for just under a year when she moved to Sydney for university. She began a three-year degree at Sydney University in mid-2025 and carried out an official engagement in May 2026 before returning to Norway.

Ingrid made the decision to leave Australia to be with her mother, the then-Crown Princess Mette-Marit who underwent a lung transplant in early June. The princess, who is now first-in-line to the throne, is now on exchange from Sydney University and studying at the University of Oslo.

Royals react

Other royal families have shared their grief at the loss, with close friends and neighbours Sweden and Denmark the first to issue statements.

Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark and husband King Frederik X shared their “condolences to His Majesty King Haakon VIII” – the first people to publicly use his new title – on social media.

“Your father meant a great deal to my mother and to us,” the couple’s joint statement said.

“With his subtle humour and steadfast calmness, Uncle Harald could make anyone feel at ease in his company. He was a fine human being with a twinkle in his eye and a big heart.

“For 35 years, King Harald was a solid point of unity for the Norwegian people. He united duty and responsibility with presence and humanity. He was well-liked like few others and will be missed by many.”

King Frederik and Queen Mary added the families and countries have been closely connected for years and the “bonds are strong”.

“Your father stands as a beautiful image of everything that helps bind us together,” they said.

“You now step into your role as king. It is a responsibility that we are convinced you will carry with the same honour and dignity as your father.”

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden also remembered his “dear friend” and wished his godson good luck in his journey ahead as monarch.

“King Harald’s life story is exceptional,” he began.

“After enduring the hardships of war and exile in his childhood, he was able to return with his family to a free Norway and witness the nation’s remarkable development throughout the twentieth century, before succeeding his father as King of Norway.

“Both as head of state and a successful athlete, he was an outstanding representative of his country. He gave ‘all for Norway’.

“Throughout the years, King Harald has been a good friend to me, my family, and to Sweden. King Harald is now mourned by many in our country.

“Today, my family and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja.

“I wish my dear Godson Haakon, who now succeeds his father as head of state, success and good fortune in the important role that lies ahead of him, in service to our brother nation and its people.”

King Charles also remembered his “dear cousin”, sharing his “most profound sadness” at the news of Harald’s death and ordering flags at royal palaces across the UK to fly at half-mast.

“For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility,” the British monarch said.

“As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.”

His Majesty signed off with condolences to the newly widowed Queen Sonja.

“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss,” King Charles said.

King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and his wife Queen Maxima, along with his mother, Princess Beatrix, remembered the late king for “his capacity for friendship and bringing people together”.

“We will always carry the memory of our special friendship with him in our hearts,” the joint statement said.

“King Harald served his country with love, pride and dedication.

“The times we spent together exploring Oslo and further north were truly unforgettable. We are thankful, too, for how he embraced the Netherlands and the Dutch people.”

Belgium’s King Philippe remembered Harald for “his humour, humanity and sincerity made him a truly special man, held in the highest esteem and dear to so many”.

“Generations of Norwegians grew up with him,” King Philippe said.

“For decades, he was a familiar and reassuring presence, a beacon of stability for his country. He fulfilled his role with unwavering dedication, loyalty and dignity.”

The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg said news of the death fills them “with deep sorrow”.

“His age and the great responsibility he bore during his 35 years on the throne seem to have had no effect on his extraordinary strength, will and endurance, which accompanied him throughout his life,” Guillaume V, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, said in a statement.

“In these challenging times for international relations, he continued to put his vast experience in the field of multilateral relations at the service of peace and the international community, in particular through his work in the context of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize.”