Norway mourns King Harald V as son Haakon VIII takes the throne
Norway's King Harald V has died at 89 after treatment for a rare blood condition, and his son has become King Haakon VIII. The country has entered a period of national mourning as the new king already met with government ministers.
King Harald V of Norway died peacefully in hospital early Friday at 06:35 local time, aged 89, after receiving treatment for a rare blood condition over the past week. News of his death brought crowds to the royal palace in Oslo, where mourners laid flowers and flags, many visibly in tears.
Hours later, his son, now King Haakon VIII, 53, held an extraordinary council of state meeting with government ministers. Afterwards he announced he would continue upholding the royal family's motto, "All for Norway".
A king remembered for connecting with the people
Harald has been described as an inclusive, transparent and empathetic "people's king" who modernised the Norwegian monarchy. Tributes poured in from fellow European royals, including Britain's King Charles III, as well as political leaders and citizens. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Norway was "united in grief and gratitude," noting that Queen Sonja would have marked her 58th wedding anniversary with Harald on Saturday.
Footballer Erling Haaland also paid tribute online, thanking the king for what he meant to Norway. At noon, the armed forces fired a 21-gun salute from Akershus Fortress in his honour.
National mourning declared
Norway has entered a period of national mourning that will last until the funeral, whose date has not yet been set. Flags are being flown at half-mast and social events cancelled or postponed, including the wedding of Oslo's mayor. Haakon is due to take an oath before parliament on Tuesday, followed by a consecration ceremony.
His 22-year-old daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, is now crown princess under succession rules changed in 1990 to allow firstborn women to inherit the throne. Haakon takes over at a turbulent time for the family, which this year faced Queen Mette-Marit's past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and her son's rape conviction, alongside her own serious health struggles.
