King Haakon VIII Arrives at Oslo's Royal Palace as Norway's New Reign Begins
King Harald V of Norway died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on the morning of 28 August 2026, and his son succeeded him immediately as King Haakon VIII — Norway's new monarch.
The Norwegian Royal Court announced the death on its official website with the words: "It is with deep sorrow we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today" (kongehuset.no). King Harald, who reigned for more than three decades, was 89. King Haakon VIII is 53 (Reuters).
Under Norway's constitution the throne is never vacant: the moment a monarch dies, the heir becomes sovereign. Haakon had already been serving as regent — the role Norway appoints whenever the monarch is ill or abroad — in the final days of his father's life. He had arrived at the Rikshospitalet, Oslo's university hospital, the evening before to keep vigil at King Harald's bedside (Royal Central).
The formal transition took place at an Extraordinary Council of State — the constitutional meeting at which the government formally proclaims a new reign — held at 11:30 local time at the Royal Palace. The council officially announced King Harald's death and proclaimed Haakon VIII as king (Royal Central).
Large crowds had gathered outside the palace to welcome the new king as he was driven slowly towards the gates. A round of applause broke out as the car approached. The windows were darkened, but Haakon was just visible through the glass (Royal Central). People also gathered outside the palace in the hours following the death, according to Reuters (Reuters).
The Norwegian Royal Court stated that relevant changes were being made to its website, kongehuset.no, and that the site would be temporarily unavailable while that work was carried out (kongehuset.no).
The new heir to the throne is King Haakon VIII's 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (Royal Central). Her succession as next in line follows the same principle of automatic transition that carried her father to the throne — and that kept Norway with a head of state through every minute of the handover.
