OSLO, Norway – The Royal House of Norway has announced that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway passed away on August 28 at the age of 89 after 35 years on the throne. His Majesty is survived by his spouse, Her Majesty Queen Sonja; two children; and five grandchildren.
Born in 1937, His Majesty King Harald V spent part of his childhood in exile after German forces invaded Norway during World War II, returning with the royal family in 1945. He later studied at the University of Oxford and became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V.
A lifelong sailor, His Majesty competed in more than 1,000 regattas and represented Norway at three Summer Olympics—Tokyo in 1964, Mexico City in 1968, and Munich in 1972. He was Norway’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 1964 Games. His Majesty the King faced recurring health problems in his later years, undergoing heart procedures and several hospital stays. A pacemaker was implanted in 2024 after he developed an infection and a low heart rate while traveling abroad. Despite declining health, he continued performing royal duties and remained on the throne for the rest of his life. (NNT)
