NORWAY MOURNS KING HARALD V AS 35-YEAR REIGN ENDS AT 89

Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89, bringing an end to his more than three-decade reign over the Scandinavian country.

The Norwegian Royal Palace announced his death on Friday, August 28, saying the monarch passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 a.m. His death came after his health had deteriorated significantly in recent days.

Harald had been admitted to hospital earlier in August after developing haemolytic anaemia and subsequently suffered a bacterial infection in his bloodstream. His condition was described as extremely serious on Thursday, prompting members of the royal family to cancel engagements and gather at his bedside.

The late monarch became King of Norway in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He went on to serve for about 35 years, becoming Europe's oldest reigning monarch before his death.

Throughout his reign, Harald was widely regarded as a popular and modernising figure who helped make the Norwegian monarchy more accessible and inclusive. He was also known for his emphasis on tolerance and his ability to unite the country during periods of national difficulty.

Born in 1937, Harald spent part of his childhood in the United States after the Norwegian royal family fled the country during the Nazi occupation in the Second World War. He later returned to Norway and eventually became heir to the throne.

His marriage to Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner, also marked a significant moment in the history of the Norwegian monarchy. The couple married in 1968 and remained together for decades, eventually becoming one of Norway's best-known royal couples.

Harald remained committed to his role despite experiencing several health challenges during the later years of his reign. He repeatedly rejected calls or speculation surrounding abdication, maintaining that his oath to serve Norway was a lifelong commitment.

Following his death, his only son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically became Norway's new monarch. The 53-year-old is expected to reign as King Haakon VIII, while his daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, becomes the heir apparent.

Harald's death marks the end of an era for Norway, with the country now preparing to welcome a new monarch while remembering the king who served as its head of state for more than three decades.