- King Charles III has paid tribute to his second cousin once removed, King Harald V of Norway, who died on Friday morning at the age of 89.
- Following King Harald's death after a 35-year reign, his son has automatically succeeded him to the throne as King Haakon VIII.
- In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, King Charles expressed his profound sadness, praising Harald's unwavering dedication and deep sense of duty while highlighting the close historical ties between the UK and Norway.
- Harald was the oldest European monarch at the time of his death, having reigned since January 1991 when he succeeded his British-born father, King Olav V.
- Born near Oslo in 1937, Harald spent part of his early childhood in exile during the Second World War before later attending Oxford University, representing Norway in three Olympic Games as a sailor, and marrying Sonja Haraldsen in 1968.
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