Death and succession of Norway's King Harald V
King Harald V of Norway died at the age of 89, ending a 35-year reign. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. The event includes Harald's death, national mourning, Haakon's accession and oath-taking, and arrangements for Harald's funeral, which Prince William will attend on behalf of King Charles III.
Current state
King Harald V of Norway has died at age 89 after a 35-year reign; his son has succeeded him as King Haakon VIII, who has sworn an oath before parliament. Prince William will represent King Charles III at Harald V's funeral next week, alongside the Princess Royal attending in a private capacity as godmother to the new king.
7 sources · 7 reports · Updated 7 Sept 2026
What changed
Buckingham Palace announced Prince William will represent King Charles III at King Harald V's funeral, with the Princess Royal attending privately as godmother to the new king.
Developments
- Key development
Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William will represent King Charles III at King Harald V's funeral next week, joined by the Princess Royal in a private and personal capacity as godmother to King Haakon VIII.
- Key development
On 1 September, King Haakon VIII swore an oath before Norway's parliament, the first major institutional step of his reign, while his late father lay in state at the Royal Palace.
- Key development
The Royal Palace announced King Harald V's death at age 89, ending his 35-year reign, and Crown Prince Haakon succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
Earlier coverage
- Prince William to represent King Charles at funeral of Norway’s King Harald V Duty falls by precedent to William to attend service of late monarch, alongside Princess Royal, who is godmother to new king Haakon VIII The Prince of Wales is to represent his father at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway next week, Buckingham Palace has announced. William, the heir to the throne, will be joined by his aunt the Princess Royal, who is attending in a private and personal capacity as godmother of t…
- Norway's new king takes oath as mourners pay respects to his late father Norway's new King takes the first major step of his reign as his father, the late King Harald V, lies in state at the Royal Palace.
- Norway mourns king Harald V as crown prince Haakon becomes king Norway mourns King Harald V after his death at 89 on Friday. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre joined officials and crowds paying tribute outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.