Norway's King Harald dies at 89

Norway's King Harald , Europe's oldest living monarch, has died at 89, the royal court said on Friday.

The monarch had been receiving treatment for a rare blood condition, hemolytic anemia, at Oslo University Hospital since mid-August.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6:35 a.m.," the palace said in a statement.

Harald's condition worsened over the last few days, and his wife, Queen Sonja, and son, Prince Haakon, canceled all their engagements to be at his bedside.

Haakon automatically becomes King Haakon VIII, succeeding his father as Norway's head of state. The Norwegian monarch has a largely ceremonial and representative role.

Harald, who had been king since 1991, suffered a series of health problems in recent years and had increasingly scaled back his official duties. However, he repeatedly ruled out abdicating, saying the oath he had taken on becoming king "lasts for life."

Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo overnight, holding a vigil as the king's condition deteriorated.

Britain's King Charles expressed his condolences for Harald's death, paying tribute to a "towering figure" who guided his country with "warmth and humility."