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Norway’s King Harald V Dies at 89 After 35 Years on the Throne

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Norway’s King Harald V has died aged 89 after being treated for a rare blood condition. He passed away peacefully at 06:35 local time on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo. The royal flag was lowered to half-mast as the country entered a period of mourning. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has succeeded him as king.

Harald, who became king in 1991, was widely regarded as a popular and modernising monarch. He broke royal tradition by marrying commoner Sonja Haraldsen in 1968 and became known for his emotional, down-to-earth approach. He also played a unifying role following the 2011 Oslo and Utøya attacks and publicly supported diversity, including different religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations.

His final years were marked by declining health and challenges within the royal family, including controversies surrounding his daughter-in-law Mette-Marit and her son Marius Borg Høiby. Despite these difficulties, Harald remained personally popular among Norwegians, with royal observers describing him as the “People’s king.” He is survived by Queen Sonja, their children and six grandchildren.

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King Harald’s Condition Turns Critical

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Norwegians have gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to lay flowers and express their support for King Harald V after the Norwegian royal household said his condition had become “extremely serious.” The 89-year-old monarch has been receiving treatment at Oslo University Hospital for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood disorder, and has been in hospital for 10 days.

Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and other members of the royal family cancelled their engagements to remain at the king’s bedside. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, who is next in line to the throne, has been serving as regent while his father is on leave. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also cancelled a planned trip to Germany, saying the entire nation was sending warm thoughts to the king and his family.

King Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, is Europe’s oldest head of state and has faced several health problems in recent years. He received a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. The royal family has also faced other challenges this year, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s lung transplant and the conviction of her son Marius Borg Høiby.

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Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit Recovering After Successful Lung Transplant

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Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has successfully undergone a lung transplant and is currently recovering, according to the royal household. The 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a chronic illness that gradually reduces lung function. Doctors said she is expected to remain in hospital for several weeks following the surgery.

Earlier this month, Oslo University Hospital revealed that the crown princess had been placed on a transplant waiting list after her condition deteriorated significantly, with medical experts warning that she likely had only about a year to live without the procedure. The royal couple thanked the public for the support and well wishes they have received, with further updates expected only after her discharge.

The surgery comes during a difficult period for Norway’s royal family. Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was recently convicted of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison. Meanwhile, controversies surrounding the royal family have contributed to declining public support for the monarchy, though recent polls show sentiment has improved slightly.

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Norway’s Crown Princess Awaits Urgent Lung Transplant

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Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on the national waiting list for a lung transplant after her health condition worsened, the royal household announced on Friday. The 52-year-old royal, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, is suffering from a chronic lung disease that causes scarring of the lungs and reduces the body’s ability to absorb oxygen.

According to Oslo University Hospital, the progression of the disease has become serious enough that a transplant is now required as soon as possible. Crown Prince Haakon recently cut short an official visit to Japan to return home, while their daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, also travelled back to Norway from Australia following the latest health developments.

The royal family has postponed celebrations marking the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary, which had been scheduled for August. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere praised Mette-Marit for openly discussing her illness over the years, saying her transparency has helped raise awareness for others living with similar health challenges.

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Norway’s Crown Princess Issues Apology Over Past Friendship With Jeffrey Epstein

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Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a “profound apology” after revelations emerged about her past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement released by the palace, she apologised to the Norwegian public and to the Royal House, saying the messages she exchanged with Epstein over several years did not reflect the person she wished to be. The apology followed days of public and media pressure after hundreds of emails between the two from 2011 to 2014 were made public by the US justice department.

The correspondence revealed a warm tone and included discussions about meeting in person, as well as a four-day stay by the crown princess at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence while he was absent. The palace said Mette-Marit was deeply saddened that she had failed to recognise earlier what kind of person Epstein was, despite being aware he had served a prison sentence in 2008. While an earlier statement acknowledged “poor judgement”, the latest apology sought to address growing calls for greater clarity and accountability.

The controversy comes at a difficult time for Norway’s royal family, already under strain due to a high-profile criminal trial involving the crown princess’s eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, who faces multiple charges he denies. Crown Prince Haakon said the family’s priority was caring for one another amid intense scrutiny. The palace added that Mette-Marit, who is seriously ill with pulmonary fibrosis and awaiting a possible lung transplant, needs time to recover and gather herself before making further comments.

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