King Harald V of Norway, who fled to the United States from the Nazis as a child and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, has died at age 89, after 35 years on the throne.
Harald was immediately succeeded by his son, King Haakon VIII. Haakon’s eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now heir to the throne.
“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 28 August at 6.35am,” the Oslo palace said in a statement.
The king’s health had deteriorated significantly over the last week after he was admitted to the hospital to be treated over complications with a rare blood disorder, haemolytic anaemia. He later developed an infection and was in “extremely serious” condition, per the BBC.
Crowds of mourners gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo to pay their respects, laying flowers and flags at the palace gates. The royal flag on the roof of the palace was lowered to half-staff and a period of national mourning was declared leading up to the funeral.
Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said he received the news “with great sorrow.”
“A whole nation is in mourning and the people of Norway are left with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway,” Støre continued. “Harald V demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people. He helped us to see the best in ourselves — and in one another.”
Royalty across Europe also shared their condolences.
King Charles III sent his “most heartfelt condolences” to the family of his “dear cousin” — Harald and Charles are second cousins once removed.
Charles’ statement continued, “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.”
Carl XVI Gustaf, king of Sweden, wrote, “Throughout the years, King Harald has been a good friend to me, my family, and to Sweden. King Harald is now mourned by many in our country.”
Spain’s royal household shared their “respect and admiration for his legacy,” adding that he was “an example of responsibility, dignity, humility and tireless dedication to the service of Norway and its people.”
And Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde remembered Harald for his “humour, humanity and sincerity,” and said they would “cherish the memory of the moments we shared with him.”
Born in 1937, Harald was 3 years old when the Nazis occupied Norway at the start of World War II, forcing him to flee with his mother and sisters to Sweden and later to the U.S. to avoid capture.
During their time in the U.S., the royal Norwegian family stayed in Washington, D.C., and were frequent guests at the White House, per NPR. Harald was 8 years old at the end of the German occupation, and his family was reunited in Norway.
He later married Sonja Haraldsen in a lavish ceremony at the Oslo Cathedral in August 1968. They celebrated their union with three days of festivities.