King Harald V of Norway Dies at 89, Succeeded by Son King Haakon VIII
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King Harald V of Norway, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, has died at 89 after 35 years on the throne, with his son automatically succeeding him as King Haakon VIII.
King Harald V of Norway, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, died on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the age of 89, after 35 years on the throne. The Royal House of Norway said he passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time.
He is automatically succeeded by his son, Crown Prince Haakon, who is expected to reign as King Haakon VIII. Harald had been hospitalised since August 17 with haemolytic anaemia, and his condition was described by officials as having turned "extremely serious" in his final days.
Born in February 1937, Harald was Norway's first king born on Norwegian soil since the 14th century. As a child, he fled the Nazi invasion of Norway, taking refuge first in Sweden and then in the United States. He ascended the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said "a whole nation is in mourning."