SAD NEWS: King Charles issues new message after King Harald of Norway’s d3ath
King Charles Pays Moving Tribute to ‘Dear Cousin’ King Harald Following His D3ath at 89
King Charles has paid an emotional tribute to King Harald V of Norway following the monarch’s d3ath at the age of 89.
The Norwegian Royal House announced that King Harald d!ed peacefully at the National Hospital early on Friday morning after a serious decline in his health.
In a personal message signed “Charles R,” the British monarch remembered Harald as both a devoted sovereign and a much-loved member of his family.
“It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the d3ath of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway,” Charles began.
“For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.”
The King said his entire family was joining the people of Norway in remembering a man whose compassion and sense of responsibility had defined his long reign.
Charles remembers a ‘much-loved kinsman and friend’
Charles described the late monarch as a “towering figure” whose influence reached beyond Norway.
“As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades,” he said.
The two royal families share close personal ties. King Harald was related to Charles through Princess Maud of Wales, the daughter of King Edward VII.
Princess Maud was Charles’s great-great-aunt and Harald’s grandmother. She became Queen of Norway after her marriage, creating a family connection that continued across generations.
Charles also used his message to reflect on the wider relationship between Britain and Norway.
“The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905,” he said.
He added that those bonds became even stronger during the “dreadful trials” of the Second World War.
The King concluded by offering support to Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, and the rest of the Norwegian Royal Family.
“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss,” Charles said.
Flags were lowered to half-mast at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse following the announcement. They will remain lowered until 8pm on Friday.
Norway confirms King Harald d!ed peacefully
The Norwegian Royal House announced that the monarch d!ed at 6.35am on Friday, August 28.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald today,” its statement read.
“King Harald passed away peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6.35am.”
Harald had been admitted to hospital while receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia. He later developed fluid retention and a bacterial infection in his blood, prompting growing concern about his condition.
The palace subsequently described his health as “very serious,” while members of the family cancelled official engagements and visited him in hospital.
King Harald ascended the throne in 1991 following the d3ath of his father, King Olav V. At the time of his d3ath, he was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch.
His son has now succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, becomes Queen, while their 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is the new heir to the Norwegian throne.
Changes to Norway’s succession rules allowing female royals to inherit mean Ingrid Alexandra is expected one day to become the country’s first Queen Regnant under the modern system.
As Norway enters a new reign, Charles’s message captured both the national significance of Harald’s d3ath and the deeply personal loss felt between two closely connected royal families.
