King Harald V of Norway died peacefully this morning (August 28) aged 89, after 35 years on the throne. The palace said he passed away at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo.
He had been hospitalised over a rare blood condition, for which he was receiving treatment, but his health had deteriorated in the last few days.
King Charles pays tribute to 'dear cousin'
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles said: '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.'
'For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.'
Harald, who was Charles's second cousin once removed, was the first king born in Norway since the 14th Century.
King Haakon VIII succeeds to the throne
His son Haakon, 53, automatically succeeded him, becoming King Haakon VIII, with a council set to be held later today.
The palace's statement continued: '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.'
'The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905.'
Shared ties through history
'These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together.'
'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.'
