Norway's King Harald dies aged 89: A beloved monarch buffeted by family crises - BBC News

The late king, who reigned for 35 years, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner and was widely loved by Norwegians.

Image source, Anwar Hussein/Getty ImagesImage caption, Harald was Norway's first king born in Norway since the 14th Century

Norway's King Harald V has died at the age of 89, after he was taken to hospital last week for treatment for a rare blood condition.

The palace in Oslo said he passed away peacefully at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo.

The royal flag on the roof of the palace has been lowered to half-mast and a period of national mourning has been declared leading up to the day of his funeral. Crowds of mourners have streamed to the royal palace to lay flowers and flags.

Harald was the nation's first king born there since the 14th Century. He has been succeeded by his son Haakon, 53, who will hold an extraordinary council of state with the government later on Friday.