nuAug 28, 2026, 06:38

Norwegian King Harald dies at 89

King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89 after a long reign marked by his dedication to duty and his firm stance on his personal life. He will be succeeded by his son, Crown Prince Haakon, as the new King of Norway.

King Harald V of Norway passed away peacefully at Rikshospitalet on Friday, August 28, at the age of 89. Born in 1937, he ascended to the throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav. Throughout his reign, Harald was known for his commitment to duty and his resilience, notably insisting on marrying Sonja Haraldsen despite initial opposition because she was not of noble birth. He remained a beloved figure in Norway and maintained strong international ties, including close relationships with the Dutch royal family.

Despite suffering from various health issues since 2003, including bladder cancer and heart problems, King Harald consistently refused to abdicate, believing it was his duty to serve until the end. At the time of his death, he was the oldest reigning monarch in Europe. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, will succeed him as the King of Norway, with his wife Mette-Marit becoming the new Queen.

Culture Health World

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Prince Harry suffered from depression weeks after moving to Canada: 'Had panic attacks'

Prince Harry revealed that he suffered from a depressive episode and panic attacks following his relocation to Canada, triggered by the sudden lack of adrenaline after years of high-stress royal duties. He also opened up about the long-term psychological impact of suppressing his grief over the death of his mother, Princess Diana, for nearly two decades.

Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit misses King Haakon's speech from the throne due to illness

Queen Mette-Marit of Norway will miss King Haakon's first speech to the Storting as monarch due to her ongoing recovery from a lung transplant. The Queen continues to participate in a year-long rehabilitation program following her surgery in June.

Willet-Holthuysen museum exhibition exposes financing of Surinamese plantations

A new exhibition at Huis Willet-Holthuysen in Amsterdam explores the historical connections between the canal house and the financing of colonial plantations in Suriname. The project reveals how former residents profited from the slave trade and highlights recently discovered records containing the names of 125 enslaved people.

British publisher ends partnership with Sally Rooney over pro-Palestinian activism

Publisher Faber & Faber has stopped selling Sally Rooney's books in the United Kingdom because her plan to donate royalties to Palestine Action violates local laws. While the publisher will continue to sell her work in other countries, they decided to halt domestic sales because they cannot legally distribute her earnings.

Bas Muijs kidnapper gets two-year prison sentence, community service for girlfriend

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison for kidnapping, assaulting, and attempting to extort actor Bas Muijs in March 2023. Muijs's ex-partner also received a suspended community service sentence for her presence and failure to intervene during the incident.