Overview
- Norway's Royal Court announced that King Harald V died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28th, and his body was driven in a cortege to the Royal Palace where he now lies in state.
- Crown Prince Haakon became monarch the moment his father died and will be known as King Haakon VIII; he is expected to give a televised address and will take the constitutional oath before the Storting on Tuesday to formalize his reign.
- Thousands gathered in Oslo to pay respects as the king's coffin was placed on a purple-draped catafalque in the palace chapel with the crown, sword, sceptre and orb on display and no funeral date yet announced.
- Royal officials said Harald had been hospitalised in mid-August for haemolytic anaemia, received cortisone treatment that led to complications, and then developed a bacterial bloodstream infection that precipitated his decline.
- Mourners and officials praised Harald's 35-year record of opening the monarchy and promoting tolerance while some coverage noted recent controversies involving family members, including reporting that U.S. Justice Department documents linked Crown Princess Mette-Marit to Jeffrey Epstein and have fed public debate about the institution.