Norway’s crown prince becomes King Haakon VIII after his father’s death
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35am,” it said in a statement.
Harald was Europe’s oldest monarch. The popular king modernised the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other ageing monarchs who have abdicated in recent times. His son now automatically becomes King Haakon VIII.
Harald was taken to hospital on August 17. The palace said he was being treated for a bacterial infection in his blood.
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