Norway’s King Harald has died at the age of 89, the royal palace announced on Friday.
Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time, according to a palace statement. He had been receiving treatment at the hospital since August 17 for haemolytic anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.
Crown Prince Haakon, 53, automatically succeeds his father as king.
The Norwegian flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast following the announcement. Members of the public also gathered outside the palace to lay flowers and pay their respects.
The royal family had gathered at Harald’s bedside on Thursday after the palace said his condition had become “extremely serious”. His wife, Queen Sonja, Haakon, Haakon’s wife Mette-Marit and their adult children were among those who spent time at the hospital.
Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death.
The king had experienced several health problems in recent years, including infections and respiratory complications. He underwent surgery to have a pacemaker fitted and gradually reduced his official duties because of his health.
Despite his declining health, Harald repeatedly rejected the possibility of abdication, saying he had made a lifelong commitment to the Norwegian people and parliament.
His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes across Norway, with many describing him as a unifying figure.
“He was a very steady and warm king,” 24-year-old Kaspara Bolstad told AFP outside the palace.
Magnus Skaugseth, 27, also praised Harald for promoting inclusion and social cohesion.
“He was so inclusive and committed to having values that are inclusive in the society we live in today,” he said.
Difficult Year for the Royal Family
Harald’s death comes after a difficult year for Norway’s royal family.
In February, the king was hospitalised in Tenerife after developing an infection and becoming dehydrated during a private holiday with Queen Sonja. Queen Sonja, also 89, was briefly hospitalised in May after experiencing heart problems.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also faced public scrutiny over her past contacts with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Documents released in the United States in January showed that she maintained correspondence with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, after his conviction.
Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, has separately faced legal problems. He was sentenced in June to four years in prison after being convicted of two rapes and 32 other charges, including violence against a former partner. He has appealed the conviction.
Mette-Marit, who has a serious lung condition, underwent a lung transplant in July.
Despite the controversies surrounding the royal family, the Norwegian monarchy remains broadly popular, with Harald’s long reign and reputation for a modest lifestyle contributing to his standing among the public.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre cancelled a planned trip to Germany on Thursday as concerns over the king’s health intensified.
