King Harald V of Norway dies at age 89

King Harald V of Norway passed away peacefully at the age of 89 at the Oslo University Hospital (Rikshospitalet) on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 06:35 local time. The monarch had been hospitalized since August 17 due to complications related to a rare blood disorder, identified by some reports as hemolytic anemia and by others as a bacterial blood infection. Following his death, his son, Crown Prince Haakon, is set to succeed him on the throne.

Harald V, who reigned for 35 years since ascending the throne in 1991, was the first Norwegian-born monarch since the 14th century. He was widely recognized as a reformer who modernized the monarchy, notably by marrying a commoner, Queen Sonja. Throughout his reign, he refused to abdicate, maintaining that his oath was for life, despite long-standing health issues, including a 2024 hospitalization in Malaysia that required the implantation of a permanent pacemaker.

His passing occurs amidst a period of intense public scrutiny for the Norwegian royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has faced significant controversy regarding her past correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was recently sentenced to four years in prison for multiple charges, including rape. Citizens have gathered at the palace to leave flowers, and national flags have been flown at half-mast to honor the late King.