King Harald of Norway has died at the age of 89 after his health problems worsened, which led him to be admitted to the Oslo University Hospital on August 17 due to fluid retention and suffering from a bacterial infection in the blood. As reported from the royal palace, the monarch was a reformist who emerged from his father’s shadow after more than three decades on the throne.
“We announce with deep regret the death of His Majesty King Harald,” the Norwegian Royal Family announced in a brief statement, in which it stated that the monarch died peacefully at 6:35 this Friday, at the Oslo University Hospital.
Admitted more than 10 days
The king of Norway, on the throne since 1991, was admitted eleven days ago for fluid retention after undergoing a medical examination due to the treatment he had been undergoing for several weeks for his hemolytic anemia, as confirmed by the Norwegian Royal House, which has since pointed to a worsening of his health.
The Norwegian Prime Minister reacts to the death of the monarch
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has declared that “the entire nation is in mourning.” This message appears as the first reaction to the king’s death, published on the Minister’s social networks. Already conveying his condolences in these difficult times to the royal family, he recalled “the unbreakable faith in the Norwegian people.” “It helped us see the best in ourselves and in others,” said Norway’s leader.
“He knew how to find words that united us in the most important moments,” he said, in reference to the attacks perpetrated by the far-right Aners Breivik in Oslo and the island of Utoya that left more than 75 dead. Furthermore, the Prime Minister stated that the monarch “guided us with warmth, wisdom and openness towards an inclusive society.” King Harald loved Norway. And Norway loves its king,” said Gahr Store.
