Norway is preparing to enter a new chapter following the death of King Harald V, who has died aged 89 after 35 years on the throne.
The Norwegian Royal Court announced the monarch's death on Friday morning, saying he had died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35am. His death came after a period of ill health. Harald had been taken to hospital the previous week for treatment and the palace said on Thursday that his condition had become “extremely serious”.
Good Morning Britain announces the news
The news was also announced to British viewers during Friday’s (August 28) episode of Good Morning Britain, where presenter Ranvir Singh was hosting alongside Adil Ray. Breaking away from the morning's headlines, Ranvir told viewers: “Some breaking news now. The King of Norway, King Harald V, has died at the age of 89.”
Succession and the new king
Harald's death now sets in motion an immediate change at the top of the Norwegian monarchy, with his son Crown Prince Haakon becoming the country's new king. Haakon is no stranger to the responsibilities of the role. He has regularly stepped in for his father in recent years, acting as regent when Harald was unable to carry out his duties because of his health.
The succession also means Haakon's eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, moves into a new position within the royal family as heir to the throne.
Harald's reign and legacy
Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. During his reign, he became known for taking a more modern approach to the monarchy while maintaining many of its traditions. His marriage to Sonja Haraldsen was itself a break with convention. Sonja was a commoner, but the couple eventually married in 1968 after a lengthy relationship.
Over the decades, Harald became a familiar and widely respected figure in Norway. He was often praised for his informal manner and his ability to connect with ordinary people, earning comparisons with his father, who was also known as the “People's King”. His reign also saw the royal family face some of the most difficult periods in modern Norwegian history. Harald frequently sought to present the monarchy as a source of stability and unity during times of national grief.
Now, attention will turn to King Haakon VIII as he takes on the responsibilities his father carried for more than three decades. Norway is expected to enter a period of national mourning as the country marks the death of one of its longest-serving modern monarchs and prepares for a new era under his son.
