As dawn broke over Oslo on Friday morning, Norway woke to the news it had been dreading.
King Harald V had died aged 89, bringing his 35-year reign to an end.
For millions of Norwegians, the first confirmation came through their television screens, as NRK newsreader Petter Oulie-Hauge delivered the Royal Court’s announcement live on air.
Oulie-Hauge was the journalist entrusted with announcing the death of one of Norway’s most beloved monarchs, delivering the words that formally brought Harald’s reign to an end.
"King Harald has died at 89 years old. Crown Prince Haakon is Norway's new king."
Watch the moment Norwegian state television presenter, Petter Oulie-Hauge, announces the death of King Harald: pic.twitter.com/TV7af3zUHw
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) August 28, 2026
The Norwegian Royal Court’s statement was brief but deeply moving.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald quietly fell asleep at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6:35 a.m.”
The announcement came after more than a day of intense concern over the King’s health.
Harald had been in hospital at Rikshospitalet in Oslo since August 17, initially after doctors became concerned about complications from treatment for haemolytic anaemia.
His condition subsequently deteriorated, with the King developing a bacterial infection in his blood.
On August 27, the Palace announced that his condition had become “very serious”, prompting Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Sverre Magnus to rush to the hospital.
Queen Sonja cancelled her engagements, as did Crown Prince Haakon, who had been acting as Regent while his father was unable to carry out his duties.
Norway’s national broadcaster had already been providing extensive coverage of the King’s condition, including a special bulletin following the announcement that his health had deteriorated.
When the final announcement came, the tone changed.
Newsreaders appeared dressed in black as the Royal Court’s statement was read to the nation.
The announcement was followed by a tribute to Harald accompanied by the Norwegian national anthem.
Oulie-Hauge has spent much of his career in Norwegian broadcasting and was a familiar face to audiences well before he was given the responsibility of delivering one of the most significant announcements in modern Norwegian history.
Born in 1977, he began his career in local television before joining NRK.
He spent several years as a presenter and reporter with NRK Østlandssendingen before becoming a news anchor on Dagsrevyen, NRK’s flagship evening news programme.
He has also presented Urix and worked as a reporter for both NRK’s domestic and foreign news departments.
Oulie-Hauge has additionally anchored several election broadcasts, making him one of NRK’s experienced and recognisable news presenters.
But it was on August 28, 2026, that he became the face and voice through which Norway learned that its King had died.
Outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, the Norwegian flag was lowered to half-mast following the announcement.
The crowds that had already gathered outside the Palace began to grow, with members of the public laying flowers and mourning the monarch.
There were tears among those gathered as Norway came to terms with the loss of a King who had been on the throne for 35 years.
Flags were also lowered at the Danish and Swedish Royal Courts as members of Harald’s extended family mourned his death.
Harald’s death marks the beginning of a new era for Norway.
His only son, Crown Prince Haakon, immediately succeeded him as King, becoming King Haakon VIII.
Haakon’s eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now becomes first in line to the throne and assumes the title of Crown Princess.
For Queen Sonja, meanwhile, the death marks the end of a marriage of almost six decades and the loss of the man with whom she shared Norway’s royal life for 58 years.
