King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, bringing to an end a reign of more than three decades. The Norwegian monarch had longstanding ties with Monaco’s Princely Family, strengthened by a shared commitment to polar exploration, the oceans and environmental protection.
The Norwegian Royal Court announced on Friday 28th August that King Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35am.
King Harald had reigned since 1991 and was one of Europe’s longest-serving monarchs. His death marks the end of an era for Norway and paves the way for his son, Crown Prince Haakon, to succeed him.
For Monaco, the relationship is more than one of diplomatic protocol. Prince Albert II and King Harald shared close ties through their respective royal houses, while Norway and Monaco have developed a particularly strong connection around ocean protection and the legacy of Prince Albert I.
A royal relationship strengthened in Norway
One of the clearest demonstrations of the relationship came in June 2022, when Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene travelled to Norway with their children, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
The visit formed part of commemorations marking the centenary of the death of Prince Albert I, whose scientific expeditions and pioneering work in oceanography and polar exploration took him repeatedly to the Arctic.
During the visit, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted the Monegasque Princely Family for lunch at their private residence at Bygdø Royal Farm in Oslo.
The two families also took part in events celebrating the historical links between Monaco and Norway created through Prince Albert I’s expeditions to Svalbard, where his contribution to Arctic exploration remains recognised today.
Monaco-Norway relationship continues with next generation
Those links have continued with King Harald’s son, Crown Prince Haakon.
In June 2025, Haakon travelled to Monaco for the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, held ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. The Norwegian heir joined Prince Albert II and international leaders for discussions focused on financing ocean protection and developing a sustainable blue economy.
The visit reflected an area in which Norway and Monaco have increasingly found common ground, with Prince Albert II making protection of the oceans and polar regions a central element of his international environmental work.
Formal relations between the two countries also remain active. Earlier this year, Norway’s ambassador to Monaco, Vegar Sundsbø Brynildsen, presented his credentials to Prince Albert II.
King Harald’s death now brings a significant generational change to the Norwegian monarchy, with Haakon poised to succeed his father.
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Photo of Prince Albert II with King Harald and Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella during a visit to Norway in 2022. Photo source: Prince’s Palace