Norway’s King Harald has died aged 89, the palace said on Friday, his 53-year-old son Crown Prince Haakon automatically succeeding him on the throne. “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 am,” (0435 GMT) it said in a statement.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The flag at the royal palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast, an AFP reporter at the scene said. A few dozen people had gathered outside the palace in the morning, but after the flag was lowered to half-mast hundreds began making their way to the palace courtyard. Hundreds of flowers had already been laid down the day before. “Of course it’s sad. He’s a symbol of our country. And naturally, it’s sad when something so beautiful comes to an end,” 36-year-old Maja Otvik told AFP in front of the palace. - ‘Deep sorrow’ - Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement that he had received the news with “deep sorrow”. “An entire nation mourns, and at the same time remains profoundly grateful for a long life devoted to Norway,” the head of government said. “King Harald loved Norway. And Norway loved its king,” he added. The prime minister said the government would convene a conference “shortly” and thereafter meet the new king, Haakon, at the palace.