King Frederik of Denmark has ordered flags be flown at half mast after King Harald of Norway died.
The Danish royals immediately lowered the standard at their home, the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, when news of Harald V’s death was announced.
The King and Queen of Denmark also sent their condolences to the new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
The letter, which praised King Harald for his devotion to Norway and his many years of service, was signed by Frederik and Mary and addressed to ”Dear Haakon”.
The Danish and Norwegian royal families are very close. As well as being related to one another, they enjoy strong friendships and Frederik and Haakon are very close, being similar ages and raised in the awareness that they were heirs to thrones.
Harald V died on the morning of August 28 at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo after a short illness. He had been admitted eleven days earlier with side effects from a treatment for a form of anaemia and went on to develop a bloodstream infection.
His son, King Haakon, was with him when he died. His daughter, Princess Martha Louise, was also at the hospital it is understood.
Harald V’s wife of 58 years, Queen Sonja, had spent the evening alone with him before returning to the Royal Palace.
People began gathering at the palace the day before his death when doctors announced that the king was very unwell.
Many have called him a ”fantastic man” and there were tears even before news of his death broke.
King Charles has also paid tribute to his cousin and friend, praising King Harald for 35 years of service as monarch and hailing his warmth and humility.
