Norway is mourning the death of King Harald V, who has died at the age of 89 after being hospitalised last week for treatment of a rare blood disorder.

The Norwegian royal palace in Oslo said the king died peacefully at 06:35 local time on Friday at the national hospital. The royal flag above the palace was lowered to half-mast following his death.

In the hours before his passing, members of the royal family gathered at his side, while mourners placed flowers outside the palace in tribute to the long-serving monarch.

Harald became Norway’s first king born in the country since the 14th Century. He is succeeded by his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, who is expected to hold an extraordinary Council of State with the government later on Friday.

Tributes have poured in from fellow European monarchs. King Charles III expressed his “most heartfelt condolences”, while Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf described Harald as “a good friend” to him, his family and Sweden, and wished his godson Haakon success as the new monarch.

Harald spent 35 years on the Norwegian throne and was widely regarded as a popular and modernising king. During his reign, he helped reshape the monarchy, most notably by breaking with royal tradition to marry Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner.

He was also widely praised for his role as a unifying figure during some of Norway’s most challenging periods.

Royal observers described Harald as approachable, down-to-earth and deeply respected by the Norwegian people. He was affectionately known as the “People’s King”, a title also associated with his father, King Olav V.

His death marks the end of an era for Norway as the country prepares to welcome a new monarch.