King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89 after 35 years on the throne.
The Norwegian Royal House confirmed that the king died shortly after 6:35 am on Friday. King Harald had been in poor health for several years.
Born on February 21, 1937, he became king in 1991 at the age of 53, following the death of his father, King Olav V. His death means his son, Crown Prince Haakon, becomes the new King of Norway.
One of Harald’s final public appearances came on July 13, when he hosted a reception at the Royal Palace in Oslo for football star Erling Haaland and his teammates after Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Flags were lowered to half-mast across Norway following the announcement, as tributes poured in for the monarch, who was widely respected by the Norwegian people.
King Harald is survived by his wife, Queen Sonja, whom he married 57 years ago, their two children and five grandchildren.
His granddaughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is next in line after Crown Prince Haakon.
Harald’s reign spanned more than three decades, during which he became a prominent symbol of continuity and national unity in Norway.
King Harald V of Norway is dead
