Harald leaves Crown Prince Haakon to inherit the throne amid fallout from his wife’s Epstein ties and his stepson’s rape conviction
Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89, the royal palace announced on Friday.
The king passed away peacefully at a hospital in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, at 6:35 AM local time (04:35 GMT), the palace said in a statement.
Harald had been hospitalized with a blood disorder on August 17. The monarch’s health deteriorated during treatment, with his condition being described as “extremely serious” on Thursday.
Members of the royal family canceled their official engagements and were at the king’s bedside during his final days, while people were laying flowers outside the palace, according to local media.
Harald will be succeeded on the throne by his only son, 53-year-old Haakon VIII.
The late king was a popular figure in the country, and has been credited with modernizing the monarchy, including by marrying a commoner and being transparent about the royal family’s spending.
However, Harald’s final years were overshadowed by a series of scandals involving members of his family, including scrutiny of the past ties between Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, the king’s step-son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was convicted of rape.
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