Britain’s King Charles III, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have paid tribute to Norway’s King Harald V following his death at the age of 89.
King Harald died on Friday after more than 35 years on the Norwegian throne, bringing to an end one of the longest royal reigns in modern European history.
His death has paved the way for his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, to succeed him as Norway’s new monarch under the country’s constitutional arrangements.
In a statement, King Charles expressed profound sadness over the death of Harald, whom he described as his “dear cousin” and a “towering figure” who served his country with warmth, humility and dedication.
“It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway,” Charles said.
“For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.”
The British monarch said Harald would be remembered by his family as a much-loved relative and friend, praising his compassion, kindness and strong sense of duty.
King Charles and Harald were second cousins once removed, with both members of the European royal families tracing their ancestry to Britain’s King Edward VII.
Charles also reflected on the longstanding relationship between Britain and Norway, noting that the United Kingdom was among the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations with Oslo in 1905.
He added that the bond between the two nations was further strengthened by their shared experiences during the Second World War.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also joined world leaders in mourning the Norwegian monarch, describing him as a dedicated leader and a strong supporter of the country’s military.
“His own military roots made him a champion of the Norwegian military and a long-time friend of NATO,” Rutte said in a post online.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described King Harald as “a true European” and praised his lifelong service to the Norwegian people.
“King Harald served his country with warmth, humility and an unwavering sense of duty,” she said.
“He was a true European and a lifelong servant of his people.”
King Harald ascended the throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. During his more than three decades as monarch, he became a widely respected and unifying figure in Norwegian public life.
The Norwegian royal palace announced his death on Friday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from leaders and institutions across Europe.
With Harald’s passing, Crown Prince Haakon now succeeds his father, beginning a new chapter in the history of the Norwegian monarchy.
