Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Norway has lost its king
An era in Norwegian history has ended.
After 35 years on the throne, Norway has lost the man who, since the early 1990s, has led the royal house and served as a steadfast focal point for millions of Norwegians.
In recent days, concern has been widespread as the family gathered around him at Rikshospitalet in Oslo.
His health had significantly deteriorated, and on Thursday, the royal house announced that his condition was very serious.
King Harald has now died at the age of 89, The Norwegian royal house announced.
His son Haakon thus takes over the throne and becomes Norway’s new king.
Health seriously deteriorated
King Harald was admitted to Rikshospitalet on August 17 after several weeks of treatment for the blood disorder hemolytic anemia.
According to the royal house, treatment with cortisone had led to fluid retention in the body, which required hospital treatment.
A few days later, another serious announcement followed.
The king had developed a bacterial blood infection and was treated with antibiotics.
Initially, he responded positively to the treatment, but his health subsequently worsened.
On Thursday, the situation was described as very serious, and several members of his immediate family went to Rikshospitalet.
King Harald had also struggled with a number of health problems in recent years.
In February 2026, he was admitted during a private stay in Tenerife with an infection and dehydration.
Two years earlier, he fell ill during a vacation in Malaysia and had to be transported home to Norway by a medical evacuation plane.
He later underwent surgery to have a permanent pacemaker implanted.
Haakon takes over the throne
Harald became king on January 17, 1991, following his father, King Olav V, and thus served as Norway’s monarch for more than 35 years.
With King Harald’s death, the throne passes directly to the former Crown Prince Haakon.
Norway has thus gained King Haakon as its new monarch, while Mette-Marit assumes a new role as queen.
Concurrently, Haakon’s eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, becomes first in the Norwegian line of succession.
King Harald is survived by Queen Sonja, his two children, Märtha Louise and Haakon, and his grandchildren.
Norway now bids farewell to a king who, for several generations, has been one of the country’s most recognizable symbols.
