Overview
- The Royal Palace said King Harald V died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 06:35 on Friday 28 August 2026, and under Norway’s constitution Crown Prince Haakon automatically became king.
- Haakon had been serving as regent during his father’s medical leave and will be required to take a formal oath to the Storting and deliver a short televised address in the days ahead.
- Harald had been hospitalised on 17 August for haemolytic anaemia, developed a bacterial bloodstream infection while receiving treatment, and his condition worsened before his death.
- Family members kept vigil at the hospital and thousands of Norwegians gathered at the Royal Palace to lay flowers as the government ordered flags lowered and cancelled official engagements.
- The transition comes at a testing moment for the royal household after a year of health scares and public controversies involving senior royals, and Haakon inherits both Harald’s unifying legacy and heightened public scrutiny.