00:03Norway's King Harald, the fifth Europe's oldest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 89.
00:09His son becomes King Akon VIII. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on
00:15Friday at 6.35 a.m., the royal palace said in a statement. Members of the public gathered outside
00:22the royal palace in Oslo, where the flag was lowered to half-mast to pay tribute to the king
00:27and lay flowers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered her condolences,
00:33describing Harald as a true European. The 89-year-old had been in hospital since the 17th of August
00:40with hemolytic anemia. Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, remained a popular figure
00:46throughout his 35-year reign, helping modernize Norway's monarchy. Despite having limited
00:52constitutional powers, he became known for his ability to unite the country, supporting
00:57LGBTQ plus people, immigrants and people with different religious beliefs.
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