It is with great sorrow that we have received the news that His Majesty King Harald V passed away today, 28 August 2026.

We will remember King Harald as a unifying monarch, guided by a deep sense of humanism and a strong commitment to a diverse and inclusive society.

With great respect, we remember a man who dedicated his life to serving our country, and whose life’s work was shaped by values of trust, generosity and community.

Throughout his reign, King Harald was a clear voice for precisely this sense of community.

He recognised the importance of all the people and organisations, large and small, across the country, who create spaces that bring us together. In his final New Year’s Address, he spoke of “… the joy of being together with people who accomplish something good as a community and who take care of one another.”

As the Norwegian national dance company, this understanding of community resonates deeply with us. Art is created through encounters between people, and the experiences we share bring us closer together.

We join the people of Norway in mourning this loss. Our warmest thoughts are with His Majesty’s loved ones, Queen Sonja, the Royal Family, and all those who are grieving.