His Majesty King Harald V Has Passed Away
His Majesty King Harald V, King of Norway and Commander-in-Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces, has died.
The Royal Palace has announced that His Majesty King Harald V passed away at Rikshospitalet University Hospital in Oslo at 06:35 on Friday, 28 August. His Majesty was 89 years old.
Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces mourn the death of their King.
“It is with profound sorrow that I and the Norwegian Armed Forces have received the news of the death of His Majesty King Harald V. His Majesty was a role model and a source of great inspiration to us all. The King was a unifying presence, a compassionate man and a wise sovereign who will be deeply missed.
“I greatly valued His Majesty’s personal commitment to the Armed Forces and his many visits to our personnel and units. We always felt the King’s closeness to the Armed Forces.
“At this time of profound loss, our deepest sympathies are with the Royal Family”, says General Eirik Kristoffersen, Chief of Defence
Gun Salute in Honour of His Majesty
In honour of the late King, a gun salute of mourning will be fired from the Norwegian Armed Forces’ nine saluting stations across the country at 12:00 noon today.
The salute will comprise 21 rounds, fired at intervals of 30 seconds.
All units of the Norwegian Armed Forces will mark the death of His Majesty with a formal assembly, at which the announcement of the King’s death will be read, followed by one minute’s silence.