Norway’s King Harald V dies at 89 as Haakon takes throne
Norway’s King Harald V has died at 89, ending a 35-year reign. His son Haakon automatically became king at the moment of his death.
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The Royal Court said Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 06:35 on Friday. It did not state a cause of death.
The Norwegian Government said the country is never without a monarch and the next person in the line of succession takes the throne immediately. Haakon was due to meet the government in an extraordinary Council of State at the Royal Palace.
Sweden’s Government lowered flags at the Government Offices until sunset. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described Harald as a secure, respected and unifying force in Norway and across the Nordic region.
Harald became king in January 1991 after the death of his father, Olav V. His reign lasted more than 35 years.
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