Norway’s King Harald V dies aged 89 after health battle

Norway’s King Harald V has died aged 89, the Norwegian royal palace has announced.

The monarch died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35am local time (2.35pm AEST) on Friday, after his health deteriorated while being treated for a serious blood condition.

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, will succeed him as Norway’s king.

King Harald had been in hospital since August 17 and his condition was described as “very serious” on Thursday.

The palace said he was being treated for a bacterial infection in his blood.

Members of the royal family had visited the king in the 24 hours before his death, while crowds gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to lay flowers.

King Harald ascended to the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V, and reigned for more than 35 years.

He was the first Norwegian-born king of the country since the 14th century.

In 2024, the king said he would reduce the number of official activities in which he takes part out ​of consideration for his age, but he ruled out abdication, saying his ​oath as king was ⁠for life.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Queen Sonja, two children, and five grandchildren.

His granddaughter Ingrid Alexandra now becomes heir to the Norwegian throne.

Princess Ingrid began studying at the University of Sydney in August last year before returning home in June as her mother’s health deteriorated.

She is currently studying at the University of Oslo as part of an exchange program.

Harald’s death comes at a challenging time for Norway’s royal clan.

Haakon’s wife, now Queen Consort Mette-Marit, has suffered health problems in recent years and was thrust into the global spotlight this year when her past contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light.

Not long afterwards, her son from a previous relationship was convicted of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison.

Mette-Marit, 52, underwent a lung transplant procedure in June after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.

Before the transplant, she was seen in public wearing a nasal cannula, a device that delivers supplemental oxygen to help with breathing.

In an update in July, Haakon said her condition was improving following the procedure.

“Fortunately, things are getting better, thank you,” he told reporters.

“But it’s the beginning of a pretty long road to getting better.”

Declining health

In recent years, Harald’s health had deteriorated.

He had twice undergone heart surgery, most recently in 2020 to replace an implanted valve that had first been fitted in 2005.

During both periods, his son Haakon acted as regent, fulfilling official state duties.

In September 2021, he underwent surgery to repair a damaged tendon above his right knee and he was frequently seen using crutches following the operation.

Despite being admitted to hospital in May 2023 for a respiratory infection and needing to rest after he was discharged, the King maintained a busy diary that year, carrying out 275 engagements.

Harald was admitted to hospital during a private holiday on the Malaysian island of Langkawi a year later.

He was treated for an infection and low heart rate, which required a pacemaker to be fitted, according to the Royal House of Norway.

Despite ill health, Harald carried out his royal duties until he was no longer fit.

In January 2024, following the abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, he responded to speculation regarding retirement, reiterating that he saw his role as a life-long duty.

Speaking at a press conference, he said: “I maintain what I have said all along, I have taken an oath” and “it lasts for life”.

- With CNN