Norway’s King Harald V died on August 28 at Oslo University Hospital, the Norwegian Royal Palace confirmed. The 89-year-old monarch had been admitted to hospital on August 17 and was receiving treatment for a bacterial infection in his blood.Harald had served as Norway’s ceremonial head of state since 1991. At the time of his death, he was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch. His 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, is expected to succeed him as Norway’s next king.Born on February 21, 1937, Harald was the first royal heir born in Norway in nearly 570 years. After Nazi Germany invaded Norway during the Second World War, he spent part of his childhood in exile in the United States.
King Harald was widely credited with modernizing the Norwegian monarchy and promoting tolerance. He also played an important role in comforting the country after the 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya island, in which 77 people were killed.
A competitive sailor, Harald represented Norway at several Olympic Games and later became known for supporting environmental conservation.
