Overview
- King Harald V died on Friday, August 28, 2026, after being hospitalized since August 17 for hemolytic anemia that worsened into a serious infection.
- His son Haakon automatically succeeded as king, gave a televised first address adopting the motto “All for Norway,” and will swear loyalty to the Constitution before the Storting on September 1.
- The Royal Household announced on August 31 that Harald V’s funeral will be held on September 9 and that the coffin has been moved from Rikshospitalet to the Royal Palace chapel for public homage.
- Thousands of Norwegians have left flowers, candles and messages outside the Royal Palace in Oslo as churches and local services across the country hold memorials and the royal family receives condolence audiences.
- Haakon inherits a widely respected ceremonial role after Harald’s 35-year reign but faces reputational strains for the monarchy because Queen Mette-Marit is recovering from a June lung transplant and relatives’ past controversies have eroded some public trust.