Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89, the Royal Palace announced on Friday, with his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeding him on the throne.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today,” the palace said in a statement. It said the king died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 a.m. on Friday, August 28.
Harald, who had reigned since 1991, had been receiving treatment at the Oslo hospital since August 17 for haemolytic anaemia, a condition involving the rapid destruction of red blood cells that can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.
The royal family gathered at his bedside on Thursday after the palace described his condition as “extremely serious”. Queen Sonja, Haakon, his wife Mette-Marit and their adult children spent much of the day at the hospital.
Members of the Norwegian public also gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo on Friday to lay flowers and pay their respects.
Many mourners described Harald as a unifying figure who remained widely respected regardless of views on the monarchy.
Harald had experienced several health problems in recent years, including an infection and dehydration that resulted in hospitalisation during a private trip to Tenerife in February. He later had a pacemaker fitted and reduced his official schedule.
Despite his health challenges, Harald repeatedly ruled out abdication, saying he had taken a lifelong oath before Norway’s parliament.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store cancelled a planned trip to Germany on Thursday as concerns grew over the king’s deteriorating condition.
Queen Sonja, also 89, was briefly hospitalised in May for heart problems.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also faced health and personal challenges. She has a serious lung condition and underwent a lung transplant in July. Her family has additionally attracted public attention over legal and other controversies.
Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced in June to four years in prison for two rape convictions and 32 other charges, including violence against a former partner. He has appealed the verdict.
Despite the controversies surrounding members of the royal family, the Norwegian monarchy remains broadly popular, with Harald widely regarded as a modest and unifying figure during his long reign.
