Following the sad news that King Harald of Norway has passed away at the age of 89, King Charles has shared a moving tribute. In a statement, he began: “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.
“For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.
“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.”
King Charles has paid tribute to King Harald’s life (Image: Getty)
King Harald died aged 89 (Image: Getty)
His Majesty’s statement continued: “The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905.
“These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together.
“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.” The message is signed off with Charles R.
King Harald was related to King Charles through King Edward VII’s daughter, Princess Maud of Wales. Princess Maud was King Charles’s great-great-aunt and King Harald’s grandmother after she married and became the Queen of Norway.
Following the news of the King’s death, flags were lowered to fly at half-mast over Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. They will remain as such until 8pm on Friday night.
The King has paid tribute to his late cousin (Image: Getty)
The Norwegian Royal House shared the news that King Harald had passed away in the early hours of Friday morning. A statement read: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald today. King Harald passed away peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6.35am.”
The King succeeded to the throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V and was the oldest reigning monarch in Europe.
He has been succeeded by his son, who is now King Haakon VIII. His wife is the new Queen Mette-Marit, and the new heir to the throne is 22-year-old Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who will one day be Norway’s first Queen Regnant after absolute primogeniture rules changed to allow female royals in the line of succession to rule.