Norway's King Harald V Dies at 89 After More Than 35 Years on Throne

King Harald V of Norway passed away at the age of 89 on Friday, ending a reign that lasted over 35 years. He ascended to the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. Just a day before his death, the royal palace announced that Harald was hospitalized in Oslo in critical condition due to severe hemolytic anemia.

During World War II, after the German invasion of Norway, Harald fled with his mother and two sisters to the United States, returning to Norway after the war ended in 1945. In 1968, he married Sonja Haraldsen, and the couple had two children: Princess Märtha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon.

Beyond his royal duties, Harald was an accomplished sailor who represented Norway in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, carrying the national flag, and won medals in world sailing championships. Throughout his life, he faced several health challenges, including bladder cancer surgery in 2003 and heart surgery in 2005, after which he resumed his royal responsibilities.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed condolences, stating, "King Harald loved his people and was beloved by them, serving the nation faithfully and devotedly for over 35 years. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I extend my sympathies to the Norwegian people, the royal family, and the government of Norway."