The Royal Court of Norway announced on August 28 the death of King Harald V. In an official statement, cited by RBC-Ukraine, it reads: "With deep sadness, we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today." According to updated information from the palace, death occurred at 06:35. The day before, on August 27, it was reported that the monarch was in a critically serious condition at a hospital in Oslo, which foreshadowed the tragic outcome.
Cause of death and hospitalization
According to initial reports, the king was hospitalized due to hemolytic anemia — a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them — as well as related complications. This condition, according to Norwegian media, was the direct cause of the monarch's deteriorating health and subsequent death. Harald V died at the age of 89: he was born on February 21, 1937.
Contradictory information
Publications in different outlets phrase the cause of death differently. RBC-Ukraine and a number of Norwegian sources point to hemolytic anemia and its complications as the reason for hospitalization and death. At the same time, Russian media (for example, kp.ru) cite an infection as the cause of death. These versions may be mutually complementary — the infection could have been a complication against the backdrop of the anemia — however, in public statements they are presented differently. As of the time of publication, no detailed official medical conclusion resolving this discrepancy has been provided, so both viewpoints are presented openly.
Path to the throne
Harald V was the only son of King Olav V and Princess Martha of Sweden. During World War II, after the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, the future king left for the United States together with his mother and sisters, while his father, the then Crown Prince Olav, remained in the United Kingdom with the Norwegian government in exile. Before ascending the throne, Harald underwent military training and served in the Norwegian armed forces. Following his father's death in 1991, he inherited the throne and ruled Norway for more than 35 years.
Family and heir to the throne
In 1968, Harald married Sonja Haraldsen, who came from an ordinary Norwegian family, which in itself was a notable step for the royal line. The couple had two children — Princess Marta Louise and Crown Prince Haakon, who, according to reports, is the heir to the throne. Thus, following the death of Harald V, it is Haakon who holds the first position in the line of succession.
A "people's" monarch and athlete
Harald V was known for his relatively informal style and his desire to maintain a close connection between the royal family and Norwegian society. In Norway, the monarch has predominantly ceremonial and representative powers, which allowed him to focus on public and symbolic functions. Alongside his state duties, the king was passionate about sports, particularly sailing: he represented Norway three times at the Olympic Games, and in 1964 in Tokyo he won a gold medal in sailing. His death became a major event for the Norwegian monarchy and society.
