Pope Leo XIV has given his “heartfelt condolences” to Norway’s new king following the death of King Harald V. The Crown Prince, now King Haakon VIII, assumed the throne following the death of his father on 28 August.
The Holy Father said that he was mindful of King Harald’s “many years of devoted service to the realm,” which he hoped would “continue to bear fruit”. “I offer the assurance of my prayers for the eternal rest of the late King,” he said.
King Harald died early on Friday at the Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, where he was being treated for a rare heart condition. As Crown Prince, his son assumed more royal duties and responsibilities during periods of the king’s ill health.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that the king, who served as monarch from 1991, “demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people. He helped us to see the best in ourselves – and in one another.”
King Charles III said that he received the news “with the deepest sorrow”. “As Norway mourns the loss of such a towering figure, my entire family joins in the memory of a dearly beloved relative and friend, whose kindness, compassion and profound sense of duty resonated across the seas and through the decades,” he said.
King Charles III noted the “particularly close historical ties” between the two countries, as the UK was one of the first nations to recognise Norway’s independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905.
“These special bonds were further strengthened through the harrowing trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two nations even closer together. The Queen and I send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and her entire family, as the United Kingdom shares in Norway's grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.”
King Harald, who was the third Norwegian monarch since the country’s independence and the great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria, demonstrated consistently high polling among his subjects.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described King Harald as “a reliable, respected, and unifying force in both Norway and the Nordic region”. “King Harald V's long and devoted service to Norway will be remembered with warmth and respect. My thoughts go to Queen Sonja, the royal family, and the entire Norwegian people,” he said.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen echoed the remarks, stating that he served with “warmth, humility and an unwavering sense of duty”. “In moments of joy and sorrow, he brought Norwegians together.”
