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The oldest reigning monarch in Europe has passed away at 89, ushering Prince Haakon into power. The transition arrives after a period of personal controversies that have weighed on the Norwegian royal family, including a former wife's links to Jeffrey Epstein and a stepson's criminal allegations.
King Harald V, who had served as Norway's ceremonial head of state since 1991 and has been the continent's eldest reigning monarch, died on Friday morning at Oslo University Hospital.
The palace announced that the king, 89, had suffered from hemolytic anemia for several weeks and had been hospitalized since mid-August for treatment. His passing was described as peaceful and occurred at 6.35 am local time. The sudden loss triggered the transfer of the throne to Crown Prince Haakon, who was already acting as the kingdom's regent while awaiting his father's recovery. Royal flags were lowered to half mast across Oslo and bells rang throughout national churches at noon.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, accompanied by members of the royal household, will meet the new king later that day as part of the formal transition ceremony. Støre issued a statement expressing deep sorrow, noting that Harald's three-decade reign had been characterised by a steadfast commitment to the people and a vision of unity. Harald's death comes amid a backdrop of controversy within the royal family.
In January, documents released in the United States revealed that Mette-Marit, the crown princess and wife of Prince Haakon, had corresponded with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. The exchange, reportedly containing nearly a thousand mentions, drew sharp scrutiny and led to public criticism. The princess issued a public apology and expressed regret over the situation that had harmed the monarchy.
Additionally, her son from a previous marriage, Mats, faces a pending appeal in a case involving multiple serious offences, which has also cast a shadow over the household. Under King Harald's leadership, Norway's monarchy underwent a modernisation that focused on making the crown more approachable, reducing the cost of royal expenses and encouraging the integration of commoners into the royal lineage. Harald's initiatives included allowing private ownership of government properties and bringing a more informal atmosphere to royal duties.
His marriage to Queen Sonja, a commoner, in 1968 also broke traditional norms and paved the way for Mette-Marit's later marriage to the crown prince. Despite the dynasty's recent challenges, the monarchy's steady popularity in 2024 polls sits above 70 percent, indicating broad trust in the institution's role in national unity. The new king, Haakon, who is 36, faces the task of steering Norway's symbolic leadership at a time when public confidence in the monarchy remains high but politically complex.
Though still relatively young, Haakon has taken an active role in national affairs, particularly in environmental advocacy, and his presence is expected to sustain the tradition of a monarch who engages the citizenry as a unifying figure. The royal household has announced that renovations continuing at the palace will resume during the coming weeks.
The world will watch how the new king continues the legacy of a monarch that has been described as a quiet force for stability in modern Norway
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