King Charles has released a statement as the monarch reacted to the death of his cousin King Harald V of Norway, who died on Friday.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Rikshospitalet on Friday, 28 August, at 06:35,” the palace said.
King Charles says: “It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway.”
He further said, “For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.
“As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.”
The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905.
The monarch continued, “These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together.”
King Charles added, “The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.”
