Image source, Getty Images

The Mayor of Oslo Anne Lindboe has cancelled her wedding following the death of the late King Harald.

Lindboe had been due to get married on Friday to her fiance Pål Sandvid, her political adviser confirms to the BBC.

"It's hard to imagine an Oslo and an Norway without you. You didn't need a crowd to be King," Lindboe had written earlier in a tribute to Harald on Instagram.

"Even the majority of Norwegians who never met you in person still felt like they knew you," she adds.

Harald set a new precedent for Norway's royal family by marrying a commoner - after a long wait.

When Harald was crown prince, he met Sonja Haraldsen, the daughter of a businessman, at a party, but he had to wait nine years before he was allowed to marry her.

His intention to wed her instead of someone from a royal family or nobility "sparked considerable debate" as many "predicted the fall of the monarchy as a result of such a marriage", his biography on the royal website read.

His father finally gave his consent, and the couple wed in Oslo Cathedral on 29 August 1968 - meaning they would have celebrated their 58th anniversary tomorrow.

Harald's choice paved the way for his own two children to marry non-royals.

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Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has said the country is "united in grief and gratitude" following the death of Harald V.

In a televised memorial address, Støre said the late king's "legacy lives on" and offered condolences to Queen Sonja and the royal family.

He also welcomed Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII, and Queen Mette-Marit, into their new roles.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Tributes have been shared for Norway's late monarch by European leaders.

Norway's prime minister, Jonas GahreStore describes how "a whole nation is in mourning and the people of Norway are left with a deep sense of gratitude for a long life in the service of Norway".

"For more than three decades as monarch, Harald V demonstrated an unwavering faith in the Norwegian people. He helped us to see the best in ourselves – and in one another," he adds.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that Harald "embodied dignity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to his country". He adds that Ukraine will always remember his "steadfast support and solidarity" during the "darkest days of Russia's aggression".

"Norway has lost a great figure who stood for prudence and unity," Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz says.

Finland's president Alexander Stubb adds that Harald will be remembered for his "long-standing and devoted service as head of state, his ability to unite Norwegians from all walks of life, and his steadfast commitment to maintaining hope and confidence in the future through all times".

Sweden's prime minister Ulf Kristersson says for decades the monarch had been a "safe, respected and uniting force in both Norway and the Nordic region", adding his "long and devoted work in the service of Norway will be remembered with warmth and respect."

King Haakon VIII has announced his royal motto, choosing the same words used by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather: "All for Norway".

The new king made the announcement during his first cabinet meeting after succeeding his father.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

This morning, newsreader Petter Oulie-Hauge announced the death of King Harald on NRK, Norway's public broadcaster, and the ascension of his son, the new king.

The announcement followed days of news about Harald's declining condition after he entered hospital on 17 August to receive treatment for a rare blood condition.

If you're just joining us, here's what you need to know:

Norway's King Harald V died peacefully in hospital at 06:35 local time on Friday (05:35 BST).

His son has become King Haakon VIII upon his father's death.

A period of national mourning has been declared, and crowds have been laying flowers outside the Royal Palace in Oslo.

Hours after the king's death, the new King Haakon and his daughter, now-Crown Princess, arrived at the palace to meet government ministers in an extraordinary council of state.

Image source, PA Media

Felicity Baker
BBC News

King Harald had strong ties to the UK monarchy.

He was a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. They shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra - and Queen Elizabeth's grandfather, King George V, and King Harald's grandmother, Queen Maud, were siblings.

Queen Elizabeth's first state visit to a non-commonwealth country as monarch was Norway in 1955, and she would visit the country on two further separate occasions, in 1981 and 2001.

Image source, PA Media

Norwegian politicians have been photographed laying white roses outside Oslo's Royal Palace this morning, wearing black among crowds of mourners.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

King Haakon VIII has become the new king of Norway following the death of his father, Harald V.

Haakon is the fourth king to head Norway's modern monarchy, since it was restored in 1905 after the country gained independence from Sweden.

He worked closely with his father as he carried out royal duties, and in recent years took on more responsibilities as Harald was ill or absent.

He becomes King at a turbulent time for Norway's royal family. The monarchy is popular, but has been beset by scandal in recent years.

The new king's wife Mette-Marit has apologised for ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, has been convicted of rape in a high-profile trial. He is appealing against the conviction.

You can read more in our story here

Image source, Det Norske Kongehuset

King Haakon VIII has become the new King of Norway following the death of his father Harald V.

An official portrait of the new king has been shared by the Norwegian royal family.

A trumpet played out as the new King Haakon was driven into the Royal Palace in Oslo.

The king was seen dressed in military regalia in a black Audi as crowds quietly stood and watched on.

As we reported earlier the king and his daughter Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, have been meeting with government ministers at the palace.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been seen signing a book of condolence in the Royal Palace beside a portrait of the late king and lit candles - signs of official national mourning.

He was followed by other government ministers writing also their tributes.

Image source, EPA

Members of the public have gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo as the extraordinary meeting of the council of state is taking place.

A royal flag has been raised from the balcony, as people watch on.

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Five hours after his father's death, the new King Haakon, wearing black military regalia, has greeted government ministers in the royal palace for an extraordinary council of state meeting.

He shook the hands of each around the room, all dressed in black, faces somber.

His daughter Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, wearing a black suit, joined her father. She is next in line to be Norway's queen after the rules of succession were changed in 1990.

Image source, Heiko Junge / NTB / AFP via Getty Images

Harald was born on 21 February 1937 on the Skaugum estate near Oslo, more than 30 years after Norway gained its independence from Sweden and became a constitutional monarchy.

He was three when dictator Adolf Hitler ordered Norway's invasion by Nazi Germany early in World War Two.

Harald's mother fled with her children across the border to Sweden, and they travelled to the US on the invitation of President Franklin D Roosevelt.

Prince Harald returned with his family to Norway at the end of the war and completed his school and compulsory military service. He became crown prince in 1957, and studied social science, history and economics at Balliol College in Oxford from 1960 to 1962.

He ascended to the throne in January 1991 following the death of his father.

Image source, NTB / AFP via Getty Images

Norway's royal house released a statement this morning announcing the death of its 89-year-old monarch.

The palace said: "It is with deep grief that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away. King Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet Friday 28 August at 6:35 AM."

The palace's website now features only a black banner, with a picture of the late king, honouring his life.

King Charles III, along with Queen Camilla, has released a statement mourning his "dear cousin" King Harald V, who was a second cousin of King Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles said that for 35 years, the late Norwegian monarch "served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility".

The British monarch said his family joins all of Norway 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".

He extended his condolences to Norway's Queen Sonja, who was due to celebrate her 58th wedding anniversary with King Harald tomorrow.

Image source, Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Following the death of King Harald V this morning, Norway has declared a time of national mourning from today until the day of his funeral, which has not yet been announced.

Flags will be flown at half-mast from royal residences, state buildings and military sites.

While professional activities and events will still be carried out, emphasis will be placed on ensuring events have a "dignified" setting - including that the death is marked with silence, and a portrait of the late king is displayed and/or that candles are lit. All non work-related social events will be cancelled or postponed.