King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, the palace in Oslo has announced, triggering the succession of his son, Haakon, whose wife Mette-Marit’s association with Jeffrey Epstein has sparked fierce recent controversy.“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 6.35am,” the palace said in a statement.The palace had announced on Thursday that Harald’s health had deteriorated and that he was in an “extremely serious” condition, prompting his wife, Queen Sonja, and Crown Prince Haakon, who was already acting as regent, to cancel engagements.Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Store, would meet the new king, Haakon VIII, at the palace later on Friday, the government said. Flags at the palace were lowered to half-mast and church bells across the country were to ring out at midday.“It is with deep sadness that I have received the news that His Majesty King Harald V has died,” Store said. “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.”A woman lays a flower at the Royal Palace square in Oslo. Photograph: Odd Andersen