Jakarta, ThedailyID — Norway’s King Harald V died on Friday (28/8/2026) at the age of 89, ending his 35-year reign.
The Norwegian Royal Court announced his death in a written statement. Harald died at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 a.m. local time.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that His Majesty the King Harald has passed away today,” the Royal Court said in a statement, Friday (28/8).
Harald had been receiving treatment at Oslo University Hospital since August 17 for hemolytic anemia. The Royal Court previously said his health had deteriorated and his condition was “very serious.”
Harald became Norway’s king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He served as the country’s ceremonial head of state for more than three decades.
During Harald’s illness, his son Crown Prince Haakon took over his royal duties. Under Norway’s line of succession, Haakon will now become the country’s next monarch.
Haakon is expected to assume the throne without a traditional coronation. Norway abolished its constitutional coronation requirement in 1908.
King Haakon VII and Queen Maud were the last Norwegian monarchs to undergo a coronation. Harald also did not hold a coronation ceremony after becoming king in 1991.
Harald’s death comes amid tensions within the Norwegian royal family. The controversy centers on Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late American sex offender.
Earlier this year, documents revealed that Mette-Marit had maintained contact with Epstein. She later apologized to the king and queen and said she regretted her friendship with him.
