Norway is mourning the passing of King Harald. The Norwegian Royal House announced on August 28 that the monarch had died at Rikshospitalet at the age of 89.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University hospital on Friday 28 August at 6.35am,” the palace said on its website.
Harald is survived by Queen Sonja, his children, Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise, and five grandchildren. Following his death, his son Haakon becomes King of Norway.
King Harald Reigned Over Norway Since 1991
King Harald was born on February 21, 1937, at the Skaugum estate as the youngest of three children. As the only son, he was entitled to the throne under the succession rules in place at the time, despite having two older sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid.
Norway introduced equal succession rights in 1990, allowing the firstborn child of the monarch to inherit the throne regardless of gender. However, the change did not apply retroactively. As a result, Harald remained ahead of his sisters in the line of succession, and his son Haakon likewise remained ahead of his older sister, Märtha Louise.
His daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will therefore one day become Norway’s first reigning queen under the current succession system.
Prince Haakon Has Often Served as Regent
Following his father’s death, Prince Haakon becomes King of Norway. He has been preparing for the role for decades and has repeatedly stepped in when Harald was unable to carry out his duties because of health issues.
In 2003, Haakon temporarily represented his father during Harald’s treatment for cancer, and he did so again in 2005 after the king underwent heart surgery. In recent years, Haakon has also assumed the role of regent on several occasions when his father’s health required it.
With Haakon’s accession, Ingrid Alexandra moves up in the line of succession and becomes Crown Princess of Norway.
