Norway mourns King Harald V, Haakon VIII ascends throne

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed the nation on Friday following the death of King Harald V at the age of 89. The monarch passed away at the National Hospital in Oslo at 6:35 a.m. local time, the palace confirmed.

In a televised address, Støre described a nation united in mourning and gratitude. "We will remember King Harald for his love of his people, for his sense of humour and his warmth," he said, adding that the late king's unwavering faith in Norwegians helped them see the best in themselves and one another.

Støre also welcomed the new reign, saying, "Today we open our arms to our new King and Queen, King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit." He expressed full confidence in the new monarchs, noting they assume their roles during a period of mourning. Haakon will reign under the same motto as his predecessors: "We give our all for Norway."

King Harald, who was Europe's oldest monarch, had a life marked by resilience. As a child during the Nazi occupation, he went into exile in the United States. He modernised the royal house and famously chose to marry his longtime sweetheart, Sonja Haraldsen, over European nobility. He ascended the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V, and reigned through a period of significant economic growth driven by oil and gas.

While Norway's king holds a largely symbolic role in the constitutional monarchy, Harald was a deeply popular figure. His son automatically succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.