King Harald V of Norway has passed away at age 89. He is succeeded by his son, who becomes King Haakon VIII.
Key facts
- •King Harald V was the first Norwegian prince born in the country since 1370.
- •He spent much of his childhood in the United States as a refugee during World War II.
- •The new monarch, King Haakon VIII, is 53 years old.
- •Harald was an accomplished sailor who represented Norway at the Olympics and won a world championship in 1987.
- •The late king is survived by his wife, Queen Sonja, two children, and six grandchildren.
King Harald V of Norway died peacefully at the age of 89 on Friday at the National Hospital in Oslo. The palace announced his passing at 06:35 local time following treatment for a rare blood condition. Harald, who reigned for 35 years, was Europe's oldest monarch and is succeeded by his son, who has ascended to the throne as King Haakon VIII.
By the numbers
Reign and Modernization
Harald ascended to the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. During his 35-year reign, he was credited with modernizing the Norwegian monarchy and was known for his down-to-earth approach. He served as a unifying figure, notably during the aftermath of the 2011 terror attacks in Oslo and on the island of Utøya, where he urged citizens to support one another.
Early Life and Exile
Born in 1937, Harald was the first prince born in Norway since the 14th century. During the Nazi occupation of Norway in World War II, he fled with his mother and sisters to the United States, while his father and grandfather remained in exile in Britain. The family returned to Norway in 1945 after the war ended.
Recent Challenges
The royal family has faced recent scrutiny regarding the conduct of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, who was convicted of rape and other offenses. Additionally, the Crown Princess faced public attention over her past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite his own declining health and calls for abdication, Harald had repeatedly stated that his oath as king was for life.
Timeline
- 1937Harald V is born in Asker, near Oslo.
- 1940Harald flees Norway with his family following the Nazi invasion.
- January 1991Harald succeeds his father, King Olav V, to become king.
- August 28King Harald V passes away at the National Hospital in Oslo.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC World, NPR World, Deutsche Welle.
