King Harald dies one day before 58th wedding anniversary

King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Tragically, King Harald died earlier today at the age of 89.

Then Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen were married at Oslo Domkirke in Oslo on 29 August 1968.

By Glorvigen, Bjørn – Arkivet etter Billedbladet Nå i Riksarkivet, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sonja and Harald had two children: Princess Märtha Louise (b. 22 September 1971) and Crown Prince, now King Haakon (b. 20 July 1973). The laws of succession in Norway changed in 1991, allowing for absolute primogeniture. While the Princess was granted a place in the line of succession, she did not surpass her brother and become heir upon the change.

King Harald and Queen Sonja have six grandchildren: Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus (children of King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit), and Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora, and Emma Talulah Behn (daughters of Princess Märtha Louise and her ex-husband, Ari Behn).

Earlier today, the Norwegian royal court announced the death of King Harald: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald today. King Harald passed away peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6:35 a.m.”