Norway enters a national mourning period following the death of King Harald V. The 89‑year‑old monarch died peacefully in hospital at 06:35 local time after treatment for a rare blood condition. Thousands gathered at Oslo’s Royal Palace to place flowers, flags and candles along the façade, expressing grief and gratitude.
Shortly after the announcement, heir‑presumptive Haakon VIII met ministers in an extraordinary council of state meeting. He vowed to uphold the royal family’s motto, "All for Norway", and will soon be formally sworn in by the Parliament. The royal couple, King Haakon and Queen Mette‑Marit, were photographed alongside cabinet officials as the nation watched a new monarch rise.
Critics and supporters alike note that the royal family is dealing with significant personal and public challenges this year. Queen Mette‑Marit has publicly apologized for her earlier friendship with a convicted sex offender; she now awaits the stability of her lung transplant recovery. Her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of rape and other offences, though he remains outside the royal household.
Despite the controversies, experts still regard the new king as a respected, hard‑working figure capable of steering the monarchy through turbulence. A recent public poll showed support for the monarchy decreased from 72% in 2024 to 54% in early 2026, yet the royal family is seen as a uniting symbol of Norway.
Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who was scheduled to marry on Friday, postponed her wedding in the wake of the king’s death. Flags will fly at half‑mast and official events will observe moments of silence until the state funeral is announced. The nation stands united in grief and admiration for a monarch described as a "people's king" who modernised the Norwegian monarchy.
