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King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, bringing to a close a 35-year reign defined by duty, warmth and an enduring connection to the Norwegian people. We look back at his remarkable life in pictures
From a childhood shaped by war and exile to more than three decades on the Norwegian throne, King Harald V lived a life intertwined with the story of modern Norway. Born in 1937 as the first Norwegian prince to be born on home soil in 567 years, he returned from wartime exile as a boy, later studied at Oxford, represented his country as an Olympic sailor, and ascended the throne in 1991. Alongside Queen Sonja, he helped shape a monarchy that felt at once steeped in tradition and distinctly modern.
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Following his death on 28 August 2026, we revisit the defining moments of his life through photographs.
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Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway with Prince Harald, heir apparent to the Norwegian throne, born 21st February 1937.
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Prince Harald of Norway plays with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier, Fala, in New York.
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Prince Harald poses for a special portrait in connection with his 23rd birthday. Here he holds a commission as a lieutenant in the Norwegian Army.
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Crown Prince Harald of Norway in 1961.
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Crown Prince Harald of Norway and Sonja Haraldse announce their engagement in March 1968
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Crown Prince Harald of Norway and his fiance Sonja Haraldsen at the Henie-Onstad Art Centre in 1968
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The couple wed at Oslo Cathedral August 29th 1968
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Crown Prince Harald of Norway and his wife, Crown Princess Sonja, hold their newborn daughter Princess Märtha Louise born Sept 22nd 1971. It was the first photo released of the royal infant.
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Crown Prince Harald of Norway with Princess Diana at an Oslo performance by the London City Ballet in 1984.
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Photo: Royal House of Norway
Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja were consecrated in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on 23 June 1991, a few months after his Accession to the Throne upon the death of his father, King Olav V.
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The monarchs celebrate Norway’s National Day.
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The monarchs fly to Canada to attend the 210 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Here they are seen watching the men’s biathalon.
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King Harald V of Norway poses for an official photograph from the Royal Court on January 15, 2016 in Oslo.
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Photo: @detnorskekongehus
King Harald and Queen Sonja attend the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
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