Obituary: King Harald of Norway

King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, after 35 years on the Norwegian throne.

His son, Haakon, is now the King of Norway.

King Harald died in hospital on 28 August 2026. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Queen Sonja, and their two children, King Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, Marius Borg Høiby, Maud Behn, Leah Behn, Emma Behn and his older sister, Princess Astrid.

He was predeceased by his parents, King Olav and Crown Princess Märtha, as well as his older sister, Princess Ragnhild.

Prince Harald was born on 21 February 1937 at the Skaugum Estate as the third child and only son of Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha. At a young age, Germany invaded Norway, and his family went into exile. While his father and grandfather led the government in exile from London, Harald joined his mother and sisters in the United States. He spent those years in Washington, D.C., becoming close with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Norwegian Royal Family returned home in 1945, but tragedy struck nine years later when his mother died from cancer. He studied in the U.S. and Norway and underwent military training as part of his preparation for his future role.

Prince Harald became the Crown Prince of Norway upon the death of his grandfather, King Haakon VII, on 21 September 1957.

The Crown Prince fell in love with a commoner, Sonja Haraldsen, but his love was met with resistance due to her status. After Harald refused to marry anyone else (which would have ultimately ended his family’s reign), his father, King Olav, relented. Harald and Sonja married in 1968 and had two children, King Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise. Together, they also had six grandchildren.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Harald became the oldest reigning monarch in Europe. That title now belongs to Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein.

The late monarch suffered from bad health for years, with many surgeries and hospitalisations.

King Harald was beloved in Norway for his calm demeanour and warmth. He will be deeply mourned in Norway and abroad.