Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius on Friday offered condolences to Norway’s royal family and people following the death of King Harald V.
Harald died Friday at age 89, ending a 35-year reign. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, succeeded him as Norway’s king.
“On behalf of myself and the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, I extend my sincere condolences personally to Crown Prince Haakon, the royal family and all the people of Norway,” Nausėda said in a statement.
Nausėda said Lithuania would remember Harald for his role in strengthening friendship between Lithuania and Norway, developing bilateral ties and supporting Lithuania’s freedom and independence.
The Lithuanian presidency noted that Harald’s visits to Lithuania, both after the restoration of independence and after Lithuania joined the European Union and NATO, demonstrated the strength of the countries’ ties and their people-to-people connection.
Nausėda also recalled a warm personal meeting with Harald and Queen Sonja during his visit to Norway in 2023.
“At this time of great loss, Lithuania stands with you and all the people of Norway,” Nausėda said.
Prime Minister Sinkevičius highlighted Harald’s decades of service to Norway and its people.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Lithuania, I extend my sincere condolences on the loss of His Majesty King Harald V,” the prime minister said. “For more than three decades, King Harald V devoted himself to serving Norway and its people. His wisdom, dignity and dedication to the country will be remembered with the greatest respect.”
Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He was widely regarded as a popular and modernising monarch who helped make Norway’s royal institution more open.
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