KING HARALD V

A KING OF THE PEOPLE — A LIFE GIVEN TO NORWAY

A nation bids farewell to its beloved King

It is with profound sadness that we receive the news today that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway has passed away.

Norway has lost its King. But more than that, the nation has lost a man who, throughout a long and remarkable life, became part of the very heart of Norway.

King Harald was a King of the people. He brought Norwegians together across differences of age, background and place. He was our King, yet to so many he also seemed like someone familiar — warm, humorous, modest and down-to-earth.

His life was closely intertwined with the modern history of Norway.

Harald was born a Prince and grew up at Skaugum in Asker with his two older sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid.

When Germany invaded Norway on 9 April 1940, his childhood was suddenly transformed. The Royal Family was forced to flee. Crown Princess Märtha took the children across the border to Sweden, and they later travelled on to the United States following an invitation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

After Norway was liberated in 1945, the young Prince Harald was able to return home with his father, King Haakon, his mother and his sisters.

Their arrival in Oslo became one of the memorable moments of Norwegian history. At Honnørbrygga, an enormous crowd gathered to welcome the Royal Family home. Norway was free again — and the young Prince experienced the extraordinary joy of returning to his own country.

He grew into a man with a profound sense of duty towards Norway.

He attended Smestad School and later Oslo Cathedral School before continuing his education at the Norwegian Military Academy. After his military service, he travelled to Oxford, where he studied political science, economics and history.

In 1957, following the death of King Haakon, Harald became Crown Prince. At the side of his father, King Olav, he gradually assumed greater responsibilities and undertook an increasing number of official duties.

And then came love.

In 1968, Crown Prince Harald was finally able to marry the woman he had chosen, Sonja Haraldsen. Their marriage became an important chapter in Norwegian royal history. Together, they would stand side by side for almost six decades and become one of Norway's most beloved royal couples.

They had two children, Princess Märtha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon.

When King Olav died on 17 January 1991, Harald became King of Norway.

He carried forward the royal motto:

“All for Norway.”

And for many Norwegians, those words truly described his life.

King Harald took his responsibilities as King extremely seriously, but he never took himself too seriously.

He could be solemn when the country needed him to be. But he could also laugh, joke and display the gentle humour that made him so widely loved.

He travelled throughout Norway, visiting large cities as well as small communities. He met people at schools, workplaces, institutions and countless local events. He stood beside people in times of grief and tragedy, and he shared their happiness when the country had something to celebrate.

It was perhaps in these encounters that his special relationship with the Norwegian people was most clearly seen.

He was the sporting King.

He represented Norway as a sailor at three Olympic Games and was a passionate follower of sport throughout his life. He famously described himself as a “sports idiot” — a humorous expression of his genuine enthusiasm.

Whether watching the Olympic Games, a World Championship or a local sporting event, his enjoyment was unmistakable.

He was also the outdoor King.

Hunting, fishing, skiing, the sea and the Norwegian countryside were not merely royal pastimes. They were part of the life he loved and shared with generations of Norwegians.

And he was a King for children.

The circumstances in which children grow up became an important cause for King Harald. He spoke openly about bullying and the responsibility of society to ensure that children should feel safe, included and valued.

For generations of Norwegians, it is difficult to imagine Norway without King Harald.

He was there throughout our lives.

He stood on the Palace balcony on Constitution Day, 17 May. He welcomed us on occasions of national celebration. He represented Norway at home and abroad. He shared our happiness and our sorrow.

He was King when Norway celebrated.

He was King when Norway mourned.

And he was King through all the ordinary days in between.

Today, it is Norway that must say goodbye.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Märtha Louise and the entire Royal Family at this profoundly sorrowful time.

Norway has lost its King.

But his memory will remain — in our history, in photographs and stories, and above all in the memories of the countless people whose lives he touched.

King Harald was more than Norway's Head of State.

He was our King.

A King of the people.

A Norwegian.

A man who gave his life to his country.

Rest in peace, King Harald.

Thank you for everything you gave us.

Thank you for being our King.

ALL FOR NORWAY

By Silvi Listhaug-T.Chr.-Human Synthesis-28 August 2026