Norway’s King Harald dies at 89, son Haakon takes the throne

Norway’s King Harald V died on Friday at the age of 89, ending a more than three-decade reign and ushering in the succession of his son, Crown Prince Haakon.

Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 am local time, the royal palace said. He had been hospitalised since August 17 and was being treated for a bacterial infection in his blood.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, immediately succeeded his father as Norway’s new monarch. He is expected to take the name King Haakon VIII.