King Harald V of Norway Dies at 89; Crown Prince Haakon Ascends Throne

Norway mourns the passing of King Harald V, who died peacefully at the National Hospital on August 28 at 6:35 AM, at the age of 89. The Royal House announced his death, marking the end of a significant era for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, had been hospitalized multiple times in recent years, with this final admission proving to be fatal.

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Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other. Norwegians believe in God, Allah, everything, and nothing.

Following his father's death, Crown Prince Haakon immediately ascended to the throne as the new King of Norway. The Royal House confirmed that the new monarch's royal name will be announced after an extraordinary cabinet meeting. The government is scheduled to convene with the new king at the Palace shortly, a constitutional procedure that follows the immediate transfer of power upon the monarch's death.

Born in 1937, Harald V was the first Norwegian monarch born in Norway since 1380. He was crowned alongside Queen Sonja in 1991. Throughout his reign, he was widely respected for his inclusive approach, famously stating in a 2016 speech, "Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other. Norwegians believe in God, Allah, everything, and nothing." This sentiment underscored his commitment to a diverse and accepting society.

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The tragedy reminded us of the fundamental elements that connect us in multicultural and diverse societies.

King Harald played a crucial role in uniting the nation, especially in the aftermath of the 2011 terror attacks in Oslo and on the island of Utøya. He openly expressed his grief, weeping at a memorial service and delivering a powerful speech at the Oslo Spectrum, reminding the nation of the "fundamental elements that connect us in multicultural and diverse societies." His ability to convey empathy and strength during times of national tragedy deeply resonated with the Norwegian people, who affectionately referred to him as the "grandfather of the nation."

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King Harald is called the grandfather of the nation, but he is more than that. He is someone we care about.