28.08.2026 10:11
According to the latest statement from the royal family, King Harald V of Norway passed away this morning. The 89-year-old monarch had been hospitalized since August 17 due to hemolytic anemia.
King Harald V of Norway has passed away at the age of 89. In a recent statement from the Norwegian Royal Palace, the news of King Harald's death was announced.
Harald, Europe's oldest living monarch, had been receiving treatment in the hospital since August 17. In a statement on Thursday, the Royal Palace reported that the King's health condition had worsened and that his condition was "very serious."
HIS HEALTH CONDITION HAD DETERIORATED
Following the deterioration of King Harald's condition, changes were made to the Norwegian royal family's schedule. Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja had cancelled their planned official programs.
Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, and other members of the royal family had gone to be with King Harald, whose treatment continued at Oslo University Hospital.
HAD BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL SINCE AUGUST 17
King Harald V had been in the hospital since August 17 due to hemolytic anemia. It was stated that the condition, which causes red blood cells to break down faster than normal, could lead to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
In a statement made on Sunday, it was announced that a bacterial infection had been detected in the King's blood and that antibiotic treatment had been started. In the initial statements, it was stated that Harald was responding positively to the treatment being applied.
However, in the following days, the King's health condition worsened. In one of its latest statements, the Royal Palace shared with the public that his condition was "very serious."
ASCENDED THE THRONE IN 1991
Harald V, one of Norway's longest-serving monarchs, ascended the throne in January 1991. He had previously clearly stated that despite his advancing age and health problems, he had no intention of stepping down from his duties.
King Harald had experienced various health problems in recent years. In February, he was hospitalized on the Spanish island of Tenerife due to an infection and dehydration.
In 2024, Harald also fell ill while on holiday in Malaysia and was later fitted with a pacemaker. In recent weeks, he had been receiving cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia.
ONE OF EUROPE'S LONGEST-SERVING MONARCHS
Harald, born in 1937, ascended the Norwegian throne in 1991 following the death of his father. Having remained on the throne for approximately 35 years, the King was among Europe's longest-serving monarchs.
Despite his advancing age, Harald refused to abdicate, and during some periods, Crown Prince Haakon had undertaken his duties due to his health problems.
With King Harald passing away at the age of 89, a new era has begun in the Norwegian Royal Family.