Death of Harald V
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Harald V, King of Norway since 1991, died on 28 August 2026 aged 89 at 06:35 CEST from natural causes. He was immediately succeeded by his son Haakon.[1]
Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, where Harald died after a brief hospitalisation | |
| Date | 28 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | 06:35 (CEST) |
| Location |
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Background
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Harald experienced several periods of ill health following the start of the twenty‑first century. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2003, and in 2005 he underwent heart surgery. In 2020, he underwent heart surgery again to replace a heart valve.[2]
He had a leg operation in January 2022.[3] Harald was hospitalised in August with a fever and again in December for an infection, and was admitted once more in May 2023 shortly before Constitution Day. Harald tested positive for coronavirus in March 2022 and again in October 2023.[4] In January 2024, the royal palace announced that he was on sick leave due to a respiratory infection.[5]
While on holiday in Malaysia in February 2024, Harald was hospitalised in Langkawi with a low heart rate and had a temporary pacemaker implanted.[6][7] He was discharged on 3 March and transported back to Norway on a medical evacuation flight, after which he was placed on two weeks' sick leave.[8] He received a permanent pacemaker on 12 March[9] and was discharged two days later.[10]
In February 2026, he was hospitalised during a vacation in Tenerife and treated for a skin infection on his leg.[11]
Hospitalisation and death
On 17 August 2026, Harald was admitted to the Oslo University Hospital (Rikshospitalet) with fluid retention caused by cortisone treatment for haemolytic anaemia and was placed on two weeks' sick leave.[12][13] On 24 August, the palace said his condition had worsened and that he was receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream infection.[14] On 27 August, the palace announced that his condition had become "extremely serious",[15] and it was reported that the royal family had cancelled all engagements and that members of the family were at his bedside.[16][17][18] In response to the news, several officials cancelled or cut short their travels,[19][20] including President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani,[21] Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre,[22] President of the Sámi Parliament Silje Karine Muotka and the country's bishops, who were on a study trip to Rome.[23][24]
Harald died at 06:35 (CEST) at Rikshospitalet on 28 August, aged 89.[25][26]
Funeral
Dignitaries
Reactions
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden announced a period of royal court mourning.[27] King Frederik X of Denmark and King Charles III of the United Kingdom also expressed condolences.[28]
President Isaac Herzog gave his condolences on behalf of Israel.[29]