Norway has entered a period of national mourning following the death of King Harald V, who passed away on Friday at the age of 89. His son, 53-year-old Crown Prince Haakon, has immediately succeeded him on the throne and will reign as King Haakon VIII.
The transition began on Friday as thousands of citizens gathered in Oslo to pay their respects to the late monarch, who had reigned for three and a half decades. A motor procession carried King Harald’s casket from Oslo University Hospital to the royal palace, where members of the public lined the rain-swept streets to bid him farewell.
Earlier in the day, King Haakon VIII met with the government alongside his 22-year-old daughter, Ingrid Alexandra—the new crown princess—to formally announce his father’s passing. In a statement, the new King expressed his gratitude to the government and the Norwegian people for their support during this transition.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre honored the late King’s legacy, stating, “An era has ended. A new one begins. The king is dead. Long live the king.” Støre described Harald V as “a king of his time and for his time,” noting his unwavering commitment to a nation that grew significantly more prosperous and diverse under his watch.
King Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, had been hospitalized since August 17 due to haemolytic anaemia. Despite his declining health in recent years, he remained dedicated to his lifelong oath, steadfastly refusing to abdicate. He is remembered fondly by many as a unifying, down-to-earth leader, particularly noted for his compassionate leadership following the 2011 Utøya massacre.
The Norwegian parliament has announced that King Haakon VIII will take an oath of allegiance in the main chamber on September 1. Meanwhile, the country will remain in a period of national mourning until the yet-to-be-scheduled funeral.
The succession comes during a challenging period for the Norwegian royal family, which has navigated recent health crises and public scrutiny surrounding various family members. As King Haakon VIII steps into his new role, he inherits a monarchy long celebrated for its modernity and modesty, now tasked with guiding the institution through this period of transition and beyond.
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