King Harald V of Norway Passes Away at Age 89
King Harald V of Norway Passes Away at Age 89
The Royal Palace in Norway announced this Friday morning the death of King Harald V, the eldest monarch in Europe, at the age of 89. In an official statement released on Friday, the Palace said: “With great sorrow and regret, we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald V. His Majesty passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital, at exactly 6:35 on the morning of Friday, August 28.”
King Harald V held significant symbolic status in his country and throughout Europe, being the eldest reigning monarch on the continent until the time of his death. Harald V ascended to the throne of Norway on January 17, 1991. He was born on February 21, 1937, in Skaugum near Oslo, as the only son of King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He was the first Norwegian king to be born in Norway in over 500 years, assuming the throne following his father’s death, and he embraced the motto “All for Norway” (Alt for Norge).
His role within the Norwegian constitutional monarchy was largely symbolic and ceremonial. He has been married to Queen Sonja since 1968, and they have two children: Princess Märtha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne. As of August 2026, at the age of 89, he was experiencing serious health issues, including hemolytic anemia and a bacterial infection.
