King Harald V of Norway died today at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet. King Harald suffered from haemolytic anaemia, a condition caused by an abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells. Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, had multiple health problems in recent years. The Royal Court announced on Friday morning that King Harald had died at 6:35 a.m. local time. Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, is now King of Norway. Norway loved its king, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
OSLO AUGUST 28: King Harald V died today at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet. Europe’s oldest reigning monarch has been in hospital in Oslo since August 17, suffering from a blood disease.
King Harald suffered from haemolytic anaemia, a condition caused by an abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells which leads to fatigue and shortness of breath. Harald, who ascended the Norwegian throne in 1991, had multiple health problems in recent years, forcing him to have a pacemaker fitted and to scale back his official schedule.
Harald V, born 21 February 1937, King of Norway, reigned since 17 January 1991 until his death on August 28, 2026. A member of the House of Glücksburg, Harald is the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He was second in the line of succession at the time of his birth, behind his father. In 1940, as a result of the German occupation during World War II, the royal family went into exile. Harald spent part of his childhood in Sweden and the United States.
He returned to Norway in 1945 and later studied for periods at the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Military Academy, and Balliol College, Oxford.
Following the death of his paternal grandfather King Haakon VII in 1957, Harald became crown prince as his father became King Olav V. He married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968; their relationship having initially been controversial due to her status as a commoner.
During his reign, he suffered from several health issues, with his son acting as regent several times between 2003 and 2026. Since 2024, Harald has been Norway’s oldest-reigning monarch, surpassing his father; since the death of Elizabeth II in 2022, he was also the oldest-reigning monarch in Europe.
Featured Image: The Kavliprize
