Norwegian King Harald V died on Friday at the age of 89, according to announcements from royal palace representatives. Europe’s oldest monarch passed away at Oslo University Hospital following a rapid health decline. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, is set to succeed him as the next ruler of Norway.
Hospitalization and Hemolytic Anemia Diagnosis
According to palace reports, King Harald had been hospitalized since August 17 due to hemolytic anemia. Medical staff diagnosed the monarch with the condition, which causes red blood cells to break down faster than the body can replace them, resulting in severe fatigue and shortness of breath. The king ascended to the Norwegian throne in 1991. In recent years, chronic health struggles forced him to scale back his official schedule. Despite those challenges, he repeatedly rejected calls to abdicate, maintaining that he had sworn a lifelong oath before the Norwegian parliament.
Royal Family and Public Mourning in Oslo
Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their adult children spent Thursday at the hospital as the monarch’s condition deteriorated, according to reporting. Media outlets stated that Haakon stayed awake throughout the night. Following confirmation of the king’s death, the palace flag was lowered to half-mast. Large crowds gathered outside the royal palace in central Oslo for a second day to leave floral tributes and offer mutual support. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre canceled a planned working visit to Germany in response to the worsening royal health crisis.
Recent Scandals and Health Trials for the Royal Household
The royal family faced multiple hardships over the past year. In February, Harald V was hospitalized in Tenerife with an infection and dehydration during a private trip with Queen Sonja. Queen Sonja, 89, also made a brief hospital stay in May due to heart issues. Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit faced public scrutiny after US court documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein revealed intermittent, occasionally intimate correspondence between 2011 and 2014, long after Epstein’s initial sex crime conviction. Mette-Marit also underwent a lung transplant in July to treat a serious pulmonary illness. Concurrently, her 29-year-old son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, received a four-year prison sentence in June after a court found him guilty of two counts of rape and 32 other offenses, though Høiby has appealed the verdict.
Public Standing and Succession
Despite these controversies and health setbacks, the Norwegian royal family retains strong public popularity, largely tied to King Harald V’s unifying presence and modest lifestyle. Harald and Sonja celebrated nearly 58 years of marriage, raising two children, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise, and welcoming six grandchildren. Crown Prince Haakon now prepares to assume the responsibilities of the Norwegian monarchy.
Did you know?
King Harald V was Europe’s oldest monarch at the time of his passing, having held the throne since 1991.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will succeed King Harald V?
Crown Prince Haakon, the 53-year-old son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, will become the next ruler of Norway.
What caused King Harald V’s final hospitalization?
According to royal palace representatives and reports, the king was hospitalized on August 17 due to hemolytic anemia, a condition involving the rapid breakdown of red blood cells.
How long did King Harald V reign?
King Harald V ascended to the Norwegian throne in 1991.
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