King Harald of Norway died this Friday at the age of 89. Over the last 24 hours, his health was extremely serious after he was admitted to the hospital on August 17th for a blood disorder. Early in the morning, the Royal House announced the sad news about a man who was deeply loved by his people. Reactions have poured in and the entire country is in mourning.
© Per Ole HagenThe new monarch will appear before Norway’s Parliament on Tuesday as the country mourns his father:
King Haakon VIII will take a solemn oath before the Norwegian Parliament, known as the Storting, on Tuesday, September 1, following the death of his father, King Harald V. The ceremony will see the new sovereign pledge to govern Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws, formally underscoring his responsibilities within the country’s constitutional monarchy.
© Michael CampanellaKing Harald died Friday at the age of 89. His health had become extremely serious during his final 24 hours after he was admitted to the hospital on August 17 with a blood disorder. The Royal House announced that the beloved monarch passed away at 6:35 a.m., prompting an outpouring of tributes as Norway entered a period of mourning.
The late King’s coffin will be transported from Oslo University Hospital to the Royal Palace on Friday evening, accompanied by members of the royal family. It will later lie in state in the Palace Chapel, allowing members of the public to pay their respects before the funeral.
The captain of the national team, Martin Ødegaard, offers his heartfelt condolences
The captain of the national soccer team, Martin Ødegaard, has joined the country in its grief, expressing his deepest condolences on Instagram. “Thank you for everything you meant to Norway. A wonderful king and a wonderful man with whom we all felt a close bond. Rest in peace, dear King Harald,” wrote the Drammen-born player alongside a photo of the King.
© THOMAS ANDERSENThe official website of the Norwegian Royal House updates with Queen Mette-Marit's new image
The official website of the Norwegian Royal House has updated its institutional platform, adding the official portrait of Mette-Marit as Queen. With this visual update, the institution is adapting its digital presence to reflect the start of the new dynastic era alongside King Haakon VIII, reinforcing the public image of the sovereigns at the head of the Crown.
© Det Norske KongehusetThe speech by the president of the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament), Masud Gharahkhani
The president of the Norwegian Parliament has paid tribute to King Harald V, highlighting the mourning of an entire nation after 35 years of a reign devoted to service and closeness to the people. In his words, he recalled the King’s historic role as the first prince born on Norwegian soil in more than five centuries, praising a brave and modern monarch who opened the Royal House to the people and to the world.
© Rune HellestadThe speech underlined the sovereign’s deep humanity, humor and empathy, recalling both his personal struggle to marry Queen Sonja and his ability to console the country during tragedies such as the July 22, 2011 attacks. After extending his condolences to the royal family, the president expressed the Norwegian people’s gratitude to the late monarch and looked with confidence to the new king, Haakon VIII, to guide the nation’s future. He closed his emotional address by marking this pivotal transition with solemn words: “An era has come to an end. A new one begins. The king is dead. Long live the king!”
© picture allianceHaakon’s first words as King
“Prime Minister and ministers. It is my duty to inform the Council of State that my beloved father, His Majesty King Harald V, passed away today, August 28, 2026, at 06:35, and that, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, I have assumed the government as King of Norway. I will take the name Haakon VIII and will continue with the same motto chosen by my father, my grandfather and my great-grandfather: ‘All for Norway,’ as recorded in the minutes of the Council of State.”
© Det Norske KongehusetIt’s official: the Royal House shares the first portrait of Haakon VIII
The Royal House has officially marked the beginning of the new reign by releasing the first official portrait of Haakon VIII as King of Norway, a historic image that captures the handover of the Crown after the formal succession ceremonies.
In the photo, the King poses in full dress military uniform with the nation’s highest decorations, the same outfit he wore to the cabinet meeting at the Royal Palace with members of the Government, projecting the solemnity required of the head of state. The publication of this portrait formally opens a new dynastic chapter in the country’s history, as citizens celebrate the continuity of the institution.
© Det Norske KongehusetCannon salutes
While inside the Royal Palace the ministers file in one by one to sign the institutional document, outside a large crowd holds an overwhelming silence, broken only by the solemn cannon salutes that announce the change of monarch, as they wait for the new King Haakon to step out onto the balcony to offer his first greeting as sovereign.
All the ministers sign while the people wait and pay their respects
Inside the Royal Palace, Government ministers are signing the institutional document one by one, while outside a gathered crowd maintains a respectful silence, waiting for the new king, Haakon, to appear on the balcony to greet them for the first time as sovereign.
© CORNELIUS POPPEThe Norwegian Government formalizes the handover of the throne after the King’s death
In a decisive step for the country’s institutional transition, the Government of Norway received the new monarch this morning at an extraordinary cabinet meeting held at the Royal Palace. During this formal encounter, the cabinet was officially informed of the sovereign’s death, and both the new king’s constitutional name and the motto that will guide his reign were presented publicly.
© LISE ASERUDThis parliamentary and executive act follows the strict protocol triggered by the Crown upon the death of a sovereign. Before this meeting, the death was communicated to the president of the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament), the prime minister and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, as a preliminary step to the extraordinary government conference held before going to the Palace. With this cabinet audience, the nation formally begins a new dynastic era, guaranteeing the continuity of the State.
The same motto is maintained
In a clear sign of historical continuity, the new sovereign has decided to keep the traditional motto “Alt for Norge” (All for Norway), a historic phrase that has guided the Norwegian monarchy without interruption since the time of his great-grandfather, King Haakon VII.
© LISE ASERUDPhilippe and Mathilde of Belgium remember Harald as a “beacon of stability”
Philippe and Mathilde of Belgium have also offered their condolences following the death of Harald V, sending a warm message in which they highlighted his warmth, sense of humor and humanity. They remembered him as a sovereign who was very close to his citizens and as the oldest sitting monarch in Europe. The Belgian royals stressed that Harald V was a familiar, protective and constant presence for several generations in Norway. In their statement, they emphasized that for decades he acted as a pillar of stability for his nation, always guided by deep loyalty, steadfastness and a strong sense of duty.
© belgianroyalpalaceWhat happens when a King dies in Norway?
In Norway there is always a head of state. Article 6 of the Constitution sets out who are the legitimate heirs to the throne. After Harald’s death, the passing of the monarch is notified to the president of Parliament, the prime minister and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the Government convenes an extraordinary meeting, the new King is received in a special session and is formally informed both of the death and of the new King’s name and motto. Haakon VIII must take an oral oath in Parliament. This is the first time in Norway’s recent history that the second in line to the throne is an adult; therefore, Princess Ingrid will take an oath in writing before Parliament.
Haakon of Norway is now King
In the Kingdom of Norway there is always a monarch. When a King dies, his heir automatically assumes the throne. At the moment his father died, Haakon became Haakon VIII.
© NRKtvNational mourning declared from today
The Norwegian Government has declared a period of national mourning from this Friday until after King Harald’s funeral. There are no clearly defined rules regarding the exact length of a national mourning period.
© NRKtvCondolences from King Felipe and Queen Letizia
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have also joined other monarchies in offering their condolences, with the following message: “With our respect and admiration for his person, and with deep sadness, we express our condolences for the loss of His Majesty King Harald V, an example of responsibility, dignity, simplicity and tireless dedication in the service of Norway and its people, both before and during his 35 years on the throne. Our condolences, with fraternal affection, to the Norwegian Royal Family.”
© NRKTVTraffic disruptions in downtown Oslo
The police have deployed additional personnel for all the ceremonies and for King Harald’s burial. Necessary security measures have been put in place, which involve traffic restrictions, and some areas in central Oslo will be completely closed to vehicles.
Haakon and Mette-Marit leave the hospital
After Haakon of Norway spent the entire night at his father’s side in the hospital, the new King has left the hospital with his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in an official car.
© NTBKing Charles III of the United Kingdom expresses his sorrow
Charles III of the United Kingdom has sent a personal message through the British Royal Family’s social media accounts. “With the deepest sadness, my wife and I learned of the death of my beloved cousin, King Harald V of Norway. For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility. As Norway mourns the loss of such a remarkable figure, my family joins me in remembering a much-loved relative and friend, whose kindness, compassion and profound sense of duty have resonated across the sea and through the decades. The United Kingdom and Norway share exceptionally close historical and family ties, and Britain was one of the first countries to recognize Norway’s independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905. These special bonds were strengthened further during the terrible trials of the Second World War and helped bring our two countries even closer together. The Queen and I send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares Norway’s sorrow at this time of such a heartbreaking loss.”
© LISE ASERUDChurches open for mourners
As of today, churches across Norway are open to anyone who wishes to light a candle and share in the nation’s grief, in all the country’s cathedrals and churches, according to a statement from the Church of Norway.
Four cars leave the National Hospital
Several members of the Royal Family went to the National Hospital and, a few hours later, several cars were seen leaving the building.
© CORNELIUS POPPEBells toll across the country
Church bells across the country will ring for an hour this Friday at 12:00 noon to mark the King’s passing. “This is a day of mourning for us as a people and as a nation. At the same time, we feel gratitude,” said Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit. This tolling was coordinated with the Government and the Royal House and had already taken place when King Olav died in 1991.
The letter from Frederik and Mary of Denmark
“Dear Haakon, with great sorrow we received the news that your father, King Harald, has died. Our thoughts are with all of you these days, with you, with Mette-Marit and with the rest of your family. Your father has meant so much to me and to us. With his calm manner and his perceptive gaze, King Harald was able to bring us all together. He was a good human being, with a sparkle in his eyes and a big heart. For 35 years, King Harald has been a solid point of unity for the Norwegian people. He joined duty and responsibility with closeness and humanity. He has been a role model for us and for many others. The ties between Denmark and Norway are strong. Over generations our families and our countries have been closely linked. Your father was an important part of all this, and it is with great sorrow that we feel his absence today. Now you are taking on your new role as King. It is a responsibility that we are convinced you will carry out with the same calm and dignity as your father. May peace, hope and affection be with you and give you strength on your path. Frederik and Mary.” The flags at Amalienborg are flying at half-mast.
© BO AMSTRUP“The death of Harald V plunges the Grand Duchess and me into deep sorrow”
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg have sent the following message of comfort and support to the Norwegian Royal Family. “The death of His Majesty King Harald V plunges the Grand Duchess and me into deep sorrow. The weight of the years and the responsibilities assumed during his 35-year reign did not seem to affect his exceptional strength, will and endurance, which accompanied him throughout his life. World sailing champion (1987), then European champion (2005), having taken part in three Olympic Games (Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972), he was still competing in an international regatta in 2002, at the age of 85. Until his last day, he remained faithful to his motto: ‘All for Norway.’ In these delicate times for international relations, he wished to continue placing his broad experience in multilateral relations at the service of peace and the international community, in particular through his work on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize. The people of Luxembourg, the Grand Duchess and I, together with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, offer his family and all Norwegians our most sincere condolences,” wrote Grand Duke Guillaume.
© Patrick van KatwijkWillem-Alexander and Máxima of the Netherlands mourn the death of Harald V
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. We cherish the memory of our special friendship with him. King Harald served his country with love, pride and conviction. Our trips together around Oslo and farther north are unforgettable. We are grateful for the way he welcomed the Netherlands and the Dutch people. In this time of sorrow, we extend our condolences to Queen Sonja, the Norwegian Royal Family and all Norwegians. King Harald remains in our thoughts as the personification of connection and friendship. Takk for alt (Thank you for everything),” read the statement, which was also endorsed by Princess Beatrix.
© Patrick van KatwijkThe statement by the president of Parliament
“His work was characterized by his closeness to the people, and in our grief we also feel gratitude and deep respect for the unifying way in which he carried out his duties as king. Our deepest condolences to the family,” said the president of Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani.
Mourning in Sweden
Following the death of King Harald, Carl Gustaf of Sweden has declared a period of mourning this Friday, which includes the cancellation of certain official activities planned for the Royal Family. The flags on all palaces and Crown buildings will fly at half-mast this Friday and Saturday.
© ADRIAN DENNISFirst condolences from Carl Gustaf of Sweden
King Carl Gustaf was among the first to send his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family, to whom he is bound by ties of blood and deep friendship. “With great sadness I have received the news of the death of our dear friend, King Harald. King Harald’s life story is exceptional. After enduring the hardships of war and exile in his childhood, he was able to return with his family to a free Norway and witness the remarkable development of the nation throughout the 20th century, before succeeding his father as King of Norway. Both as head of state and as a successful athlete, he was an outstanding representative of his country. He gave everything for Norway. Over the years, King Harald has been a good friend to me, my family and Sweden. Many in our country mourn the death of King Harald. Today, my family and I extend our deepest condolences to Queen Sonja. I wish my dear godson Haakon, who now succeeds his father as head of state, success and good fortune in the important role that awaits him in the service of our sister nation and its people.”
An entire nation in mourning
“King Harald loved Norway and Norway loved its King,” said the country’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. The Government will now meet to hold a press conference before gathering with the new King for an extraordinary cabinet meeting at the Palace.
