Britain’s King Charles III, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have mourned the death of Norway’s King Harald V, describing him as a dedicated, warm and humble monarch who served his country for more than three decades.
Harald died on Friday at the age of 89, bringing an end to a reign that began in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V.
His 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, automatically succeeds him as Norway’s new king.
Charles pays tribute to ‘dear cousin’
Charles described Harald as his “dear cousin” and a “towering figure” who guided Norway through decades of significant change.
“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,” the British monarch said in a statement issued shortly after the Norwegian palace announced the death.
“For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.”
Charles personally signed the statement “Charles R” and said his family would remember Harald as a much-loved relative and friend.
“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,” he said.
The British monarch also reflected on the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Charles noted that Britain was among the first countries to recognise Norway’s independence and establish diplomatic relations with the country in 1905.
He said the relationship was strengthened further during the Second World War.
“These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together,” Charles said.
Charles and Harald were second cousins once removed, with both monarchs descended from Britain’s King Edward VII.
Rutte praises Harald’s military ties
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also paid tribute to the late monarch, describing him as a dedicated leader and highlighting his military background.
“He showed himself to be a dedicated leader,” Rutte said in a post online.
“His own military roots made him a champion of the Norwegian military and a long-time friend of NATO,” he added.
Harald had a long association with Norway’s armed forces and maintained close ties with the NATO alliance during his reign.
Von der Leyen describes Harald as a ‘true European’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed her condolences, praising Harald’s service to Norway and his sense of duty.
“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,” von der Leyen added.
A reign of more than three decades
Harald became king in 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V.
Over more than 35 years on the throne, he became a widely respected and popular figure in Norwegian public life and was regarded as a unifying presence in the country.
His death now brings to an end one of Europe’s longest modern royal reigns.
Crown Prince Haakon, 53, automatically becomes Norway’s new monarch, beginning a new chapter for the Norwegian royal family.
The Norwegian royal palace announced Harald’s death on Friday, prompting tributes from political leaders, European institutions and members of royal families across the world.
