King Harald V of Norway, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89 after reigning for 35 years. He is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Haakon VIII, at a turbulent time for the royal family.
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Key facts
- King Harald V died aged 89, according to the royal palace in Oslo.
- The palace said he passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35am.
- He reigned for 35 years and was Europe's oldest reigning monarch.
- He is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Haakon VIII.
- The succession comes amid controversy over Crown Princess Mette-Marit's association with Jeffrey Epstein.
King Harald V of Norway, described as Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89, the royal palace in Oslo announced. “It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35 am,” the palace said in a statement reported by the Guardian.
Harald reigned for 35 years and was widely loved by Norwegians, according to the BBC. He broke with royal tradition by marrying a commoner, and the BBC noted that he celebrated Norway’s diversity in a famous speech.
According to NPR, Harald went into exile in the United States as a child during the Nazi occupation of Norway. NPR also reported that he refused a string of European noblewomen in order to marry his school sweetheart.
Harald is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Haakon VIII, as confirmed by NPR and Al Jazeera. The BBC characterised the late king as a beloved monarch who had nonetheless been buffeted by family crises.
The Guardian reported that the death comes at a turbulent time for the royal family. It said the succession of King Haakon VIII is overshadowed by controversy surrounding his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and her association with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to the Guardian, Mette-Marit corresponded with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, long after he had been convicted. The outlet said the association has sparked fierce recent controversy.
Why it matters
The death of King Harald V marks the end of a 35-year reign by a monarch who was widely loved in Norway and known for breaking with royal tradition. The succession of King Haakon VIII arrives at a sensitive moment, with the royal family facing controversy over the new king's wife and her past correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.
Frequently asked questions
How and when did King Harald V die?
According to a palace statement reported by the Guardian, King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35am, aged 89.
Who succeeds King Harald V?
He is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Haakon VIII, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.
Why is the succession described as turbulent?
The Guardian reports the death comes amid controversy over the new king's wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who it says corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, long after he was convicted.
Timeline
- ‘The whole country’s grandfather:’ Norway’s King Harald V dies aged 89
Al Jazeera: Norwegians are saying goodbye to King Harald V, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch.
- Norway's King Harald dies aged 89: A beloved monarch buffeted by family crises
BBC World: The late king, who reigned for 35 years, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner and was widely loved by Norwegians.
- Norway’s King Harald V dies, succeeded by son
Al Jazeera: Harald V, who was Europe's oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89. His son will reign as King Haakon VIII.
- Norway’s King Harald dies aged 89
The Guardian World: Death comes at turbulent time for royal family over association of crown princess with Jeffrey Epstein King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89, the royal palace in Oslo has announced. He will be succeeded by his son King Haakon VIII. “
- Norway's King Harald V dies at 89 and his son becomes King Haakon VIII
NPR News: King Harald V of Norway, who went into exile in the United States as a child during the Nazi occupation of his homeland and refused a string of European noblewomen to marry his school sweetheart, died Friday.
- Norway's King Harald dies aged 89
BBC World: The late king, who reigned for 35 years, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner and celebrated Norway's diversity in a famous speech.
- Norway’s King Harald dies leaving stormy succession over crown princess’s Epstein links
The Guardian World: Crown Prince Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, corresponded with late US sex offender between 2011 and 2014, long after he was convicted King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, the palace in Oslo has announced, triggering the succession of his son, Haakon, whose wife Mette-M