King Harald V of Norway died at the age of 89 at the National Hospital in Oslo on Friday morning.
The Norwegian Royal House announced in an official statement that the monarch passed away peacefully at the Rikshospitalet medical center at 6:35 a.m. local time (04:35 GMT) on August 28.
Harald V had been hospitalized for eleven days prior to his death after being admitted to the National Hospital on August 17 for anemia. His medical condition worsened on Thursday when the ailment developed into a blood infection.
King Harald V served as head of state of Norway, a constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe. He acceded to the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V, becoming the country's first Norwegian-born monarch in more than two centuries.
Health concerns regarding the monarch had kept the Norwegian population in suspense since Thursday. Residents in Oslo had already begun gathering outside the Royal Palace that day to express their support for the king and lay flowers in the square.
The Royal Palace in Oslo serves as the official residence of the Norwegian monarch and the administrative center of the royal household. The surrounding Palace Square regularly acts as a gathering site for citizens during national events and moments of public commemoration.
Shortly after the announcement of the king's death, the royal standard at the Royal Palace was lowered to half-mast. The news was met with deep sorrow among political leaders and state officials across the country.
Official tributes to the monarch
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his condolences in comments reported by national news agency NTB. Støre said the monarch demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people and helped citizens see the best in themselves and in each other.
Masud Gharahkhani, the president of the Norwegian Parliament, described the nation as united in grief. In a statement cited by NTB, Gharahkhani said Norway had lost its beloved king and that the entire nation was in mourning.
Norway operates under a parliamentary system where the prime minister serves as head of government and the president of the Storting, the national parliament, holds the highest elected office in the state. NTB is Norway's primary domestic news agency, serving as the main clearinghouse for official government and royal announcements.
Government meeting and succession
Following the monarch's passing, the Norwegian government is scheduled to convene an extraordinary meeting to meet with the new sovereign. The crown passes to Haakon Magnus, the younger son of the late monarch and first in the line of succession.
Haakon Magnus, who has served as Crown Prince of Norway, steps into the role of head of state under the royal succession rules of the Norwegian constitution. He is accompanied in his official royal duties by Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
