Islamabad—Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani visited the Residence of the Ambassador of Norway in Islamabad and recorded his condolences in the condolence book opened following the passing of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. He was received by senior officers of the embassy. In his remarks, Mr. Gilani expressed profound sorrow over the passing of King Harald V and, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan and on his own behalf, extended his heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Haakon VIII, the Royal Family, and the people of Norway.
King Harald V had served Norway with wisdom, dignity
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani stated that King Harald V had served Norway with wisdom, dignity, and devotion for over thirty-five years and that the late king’s long reign and dedicated service to his country and people would be remembered with great respect. Mr. Gilani noted that, at this time of sorrow, the thoughts and prayers of the people of Pakistan were with His Majesty King Haakon VIII, the Royal Family, and the people of Norway. He prayed that the departed soul may rest in eternal peace.
Norway Mourns King Harald V: WWII Exile, Olympic Sailor, and ‘Grandfather of the Nation’
King Harald V of Norway, who served as the country’s head of state for 35 years, has passed away in Oslo at the age of 89, according to an official statement issued by the Royal House of Norway (Det Norske Kongehus). Known affectionately across the Scandinavian country as the “grandfather of the nation” (nasjonens bestefar), King Harald was the first Norwegian-born monarch to inherit the throne since King Olav IV in 1380. He is succeeded by his son, who accedes to the throne as King Haakon VIII.
Early Life and Exile During World War II
Born on February 21, 1937, at Skaugum in Asker during the reign of his paternal grandfather, King Haakon VII, Harald was the third child and only son of Crown Prince Olav (later King Olav V) and Crown Princess Märtha.
Following the German occupation of Norway in 1940 during World War II, the three-year-old prince went into exile with the royal family, spending his early childhood years in Sweden and later in the United States. He returned to Norway in 1945 following the Allied victory and went on to complete higher education at the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Military Academy, and Balliol College, Oxford.
Olympic Athlete and World Sailing Leader
Beyond his royal duties, Harald established an international reputation as an accomplished athlete. He represented Norway in sailing at three consecutive Olympic Games—Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972.
In 1970, he became the founding president of the Norwegian Sailing Federation and was named President of Honour for World Sailing in 1994, remaining an active international competitor until 2022.
Accession, Family, and Historical Reign
Harald became Crown Prince in 1957 following the death of his grandfather. In 1968, he married Sonja Haraldsen after a nine-year courtship—a relationship that initially sparked national debate due to her status as a commoner. The couple had two children, Princess Märtha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon.
Harald assumed the regency in 1990 as his father’s health declined and formally acceded to the throne on January 17, 1991, following the death of King Olav V.
Throughout his 35-year reign, King Harald earned widespread public praise for his unifying presence during national crises, including the 1992 New Year’s Day Storm, the 2011 terror attacks, the 2020 Gjerdrum landslide, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, he became Norway’s oldest reigning monarch in history and spent his final years as Europe’s oldest living monarch following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
