NATO, EU send condolences as King Charles mourns cousin Harald

Britain’s King Charles III, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have expressed condolences following the death of Norway’s King Harald V, paying tribute to the monarch’s more than three decades of service to his country.

Harald died on Friday at the age of 89, after reigning for more than 35 years. His death marks the end of one of Europe’s longest modern royal reigns, with his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeding him on the Norwegian throne.

Charles described Harald as his “dear cousin” and a “towering figure” whose reign was defined by dedication, warmth and humility.

“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,” Charles 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.”

The British monarch said his family would remember Harald as a “much-loved kinsman and friend”, recalling his kindness, compassion and strong sense of duty.

Charles and Harald were second cousins once removed, with both tracing their ancestry to Britain’s King Edward VII.

Charles also highlighted the longstanding ties between Britain and Norway, noting that Britain was among the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations with Oslo in 1905.

He said the relationship between the two countries was further strengthened during the Second World War, when their shared experiences helped deepen their bonds.

Rutte described Harald as a “dedicated leader” and highlighted the monarch’s military background and longstanding relationship with the NATO alliance.

“His own military roots made him a champion of the Norwegian military and a long-time friend of NATO,” Rutte said in a post online.

Von der Leyen also paid tribute to Harald, describing him as “a true European” and a lifelong servant of the Norwegian people.

“King Harald served his country with warmth, humility and an unwavering sense of duty,” the European Commission president said.

“He was a true European and a lifelong servant of his people,” she added.

Harald ascended the Norwegian throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. Over the years, he became a popular and unifying figure in Norwegian public life.

His death now ushers in the reign of Crown Prince Haakon, who automatically succeeds his father under Norway’s constitutional arrangements.

The Norwegian royal palace announced Harald’s death on Friday, prompting tributes from European leaders and institutions.