Norway’s King Harald dies after 35 years on the throne

The palace said he passed away 'peacefully'

The king was taken to hospital last week for treatment for a rare blood condition.

The royal flag on the roof of the palace has been lowered to half-mast, after the king passed away peacefully at 06:35 local time (04:35GMT) on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo.

Royal family members had visited the king in the 24 hours leading up to his death, while crowds had laid flowers at the palace.

Who succeeds King Harald V on the throne after his passing

King Harald was Norway’s first monarch born in the country since the 14th century.

He has now been succeeded by his 53-year-old son, Haakon.

Harald will be remembered as a popular and reforming figure who modernised the monarchy, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner and served as a unifying figure at Norway's most difficult moments.

Royal observers say that during his 35 years on the throne, Harald was down-to-earth, respected and beloved.

He is described as a "grandfather" of the nation and the "People's king", a title also used by his father King Olav V.