King Harald V Of Norway Dies At 89 After 35 Years On The Throne
- King Harald V of Norway has died at 89, ending his 35-year reign as Europe’s oldest monarch on Friday
- He passed away early Friday morning at Oslo’s National Hospital after battling a rare blood disorder for ten days
- His son Crown Prince Haakon automatically becomes King Haakon VIII, continuing a royal line that stretches back over a century
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King Harald V of Norway died early Friday morning in Oslo at age 89. Palace officials confirmed his death, ending his 35-year reign as Europe’s oldest monarch.
He died at the National Hospital after battling a rare blood disorder for ten days. His son Crown Prince Haakon automatically becomes King Haakon VIII following the news.
Harald’s condition worsened on Thursday, and his family gathered at his bedside overnight. The Royal Palace said he passed peacefully at 6:35 in the morning. Queen Sonja, his wife of 57 years, stayed close by his side. The couple married in 1968 after Harald broke royal tradition to choose her over a European noblewoman.
A childhood shaped by war
Harald was born in 1937, the first Norwegian prince born on home soil in centuries. He was only three years old when Nazi forces invaded Norway in 1940. His mother fled with him and his sisters first to Sweden and then onward to the United States. The family lived in exile until the war finally ended in 1945. Harald later studied at Oxford University before he returned home to Norway. He became king in 1991 after his father, King Olav V, died that January.
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Over his 35 years on the throne, Harald was known for modernising the monarchy. He remained a popular and unifying figure across the whole country. World leaders have already sent their condolences following his death. Norway’s prime minister said the whole nation was mourning his loss. Britain’s King Charles, his cousin, also paid a warm tribute to him. Harald’s granddaughter, Ingrid Alexandra, now becomes heir to the Norwegian throne.
Briefly News’ sister site Tuko first reported on this story out of Norway.
See the report on the king's death below:
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