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King of Norway dies at 89

2026-08-28 09:10:27Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

King of Norway dies at 89

King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, after several days of hospital treatment for a rare blood disease.

The Royal Palace in Oslo announced that the king passed away peacefully on Friday, at 06:35 local time, at the National Hospital of Norway.

During the last hours of his life, the king's family visited him in the hospital, while numerous citizens gathered near the Royal Palace to lay flowers in his honor.

Harald V, who reigned for nearly 35 years, will be remembered as a monarch who modernized and made the Norwegian royal family more open. He became particularly known for his decision to marry a woman who did not come from a royal family, challenging the monarchy's long-standing traditions.

He will be succeeded to the throne by his son, Crown Prince Haakon.

A king close to the people

Harald V was a much-loved figure in Norway and was often described as the "people's king" and the "grandfather of the nation."

During his reign, the Norwegian monarchy became more transparent and closer to its citizens. Royal court experts have described Harald as a simple, respectful man, capable of showing emotion, humor, and human weakness.

One of the most important moments of his reign came after the terrorist attacks of July 22, 2011, when extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people in Oslo and on the island of Utøya.

In the days following the tragedy, Harald urged Norwegians to stay united and not allow fear to take control.

In an emotional speech, he expressed his grief for the victims and their families, speaking not only as a king, but also as a father, husband and grandfather.

In 2016, Harald again drew attention with a powerful speech in support of diversity. He declared that Norway is a country where people of different backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations and beliefs coexist.

The love for Sonja that defied tradition

Harald was born on 21 February 1937 at the royal estate of Skaugum, near Oslo. He was only three years old when Nazi Germany invaded Norway during World War II. His mother fled with the children to Sweden, and the family later traveled to the United States, at the invitation of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

After the war, Harald returned to Norway, where he completed his education and military service. He became Crown Prince in 1957. He then studied social sciences, history, and economics at Balliol College, University of Oxford, from 1960 to 1962.

Harald fell in love with Sonja Haraldsen, the daughter of a businessman. But their relationship faced opposition, as the royal family expected him to marry a European princess.

Harald had to wait nine years to receive permission to marry. Finally, he told his father, King Olav V, that if he could not marry Sonja, he would remain single. King Olav agreed, and the couple were married at Oslo Cathedral on 29 August 1968.

Harald's decision to marry Sonja contributed to changing the traditions of the royal family and paved the way for their children to marry people outside the aristocracy.

A sports-loving king

Harald V was also a keen sportsman and particularly known for his love of sailing.

He represented Norway in three Olympic sailing events. In 2022, he announced that he was ending his racing career.

He was also committed to environmental issues and was among the initiators of the Norwegian branch of the WWF organization.

Health problems and crises of the royal family

Harald V's last years on the throne were accompanied by numerous health problems and a series of controversies affecting the royal family.

The king permanently reduced public engagements in April 2024. Most recently, he was being treated with cortisone for hemolytic anemia, a rare disease that causes the destruction of red blood cells.

On August 17, he was hospitalized, while his son Haakon temporarily took over as regent and began fulfilling official commitments in his place.

The royal family has also faced intense controversy surrounding Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, who was convicted in June by an Oslo court of a number of criminal offenses, including rape. He has appealed his four-year prison sentence.

Mette-Marit's previous relationship with American financier Jeffrey Epstein has also been in the spotlight. She has apologized for her relationship with him and admitted to having made "poor judgment."

Mette-Marit, who had suffered from a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis for years, also underwent a lung transplant.

Haakon takes the throne

With the death of Harald V, Norway enters a new monarchical era. His son, Haakon, will take the throne as King of Norway. He faces a difficult period as he must lead the monarchy at a time when the royal family has faced a series of controversies and personal challenges.

However, despite the decline in support for the monarchy in recent polls, criticism of the royal family has rarely been directed at Harald V personally.

For many Norwegians, he remains one of the country's most beloved kings. Harald V leaves behind his wife, Queen Sonja, to whom he was married for almost 58 years, their daughter Princess Märtha Louise, his son and now King Haakon, as well as six grandchildren.


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