Norway’s beloved monarch, King Harald V, has died at age 89. The Royal Court announced the news on Friday, August 28. The country is mourning the loss of its King, who will be succeeded by his son, Crown Prince Haakon.
Remembering Beloved Royal King Harald V
“It is with deep grief that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away. King Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet Friday 28 August at 6:35 AM,” a statement by the Royal Court reads. The Norwegian royal, King Harald V, had been taken to hospital on August 17. He “was being treated for a bacterial infection in his blood,” Reuters reports.
Norwegians deeply loved and respected King Harald V. Royal expert for Se og Hør magazine, Caroline Vagle, shared why. She described the royal as someone who has “always been very close to the people,” BBC News reports. “He has never been afraid to show emotion, humor or vulnerability, and that has made him very human.”
King Charles III Pays Touching Tribute to King Harald V
In the early hours of Friday morning, British monarch King Charles III paid tribute to his “dear cousin” in a heartfelt statement on the Royal Family’s official Instagram account. The two monarchs were second cousins, once removed. “It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway,” King Charles wrote.
He continued, “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 so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.”
King Charles highlighted the close bond between the United Kingdom and Norway, remembering how the country was one of the first to recognize Norway’s independence. “These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and help to bind our two countries together,” he continued.
His Majesty ended his message by sending his well-wishes to the Norwegian royal family. “The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family. As Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss,” he wrote.
To honor King Harald V’s passing, a musical tribute will be played at the Guard Change. “Flags are flying at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh,” Hello! reports.
The Norwegian Nation Is in Mourning
Tributes are pouring in for King Harald V, showing just how loved he was. Among the reactions is one from Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
“A whole nation is in mourning, and the people of Norway are left with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway. For more than three decades as monarch, Harald V demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people. He helped us to see the best in ourselves – and in one another,” Støre wrote, Reuters reports. “My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the Queen and the entire Royal Family at this difficult time.”
