Norway’s King Harald V has been admitted to hospital and placed on two weeks of sick leave, the royal household announced on Monday. Crown Prince Haakon (53) will serve as regent during his father’s absence.
The palace said the 89-year-old monarch was hospitalised due to fluid retention in the body requiring medical treatment. Harald has been receiving cortisone in recent weeks for haemolytic anaemia. This is a rare blood condition that reduces the number of red blood cells in the body, causing fatigue and shortness of breath.
The hospitalisation is the latest in a series of health episodes for the king. In February, he was taken to hospital in Tenerife, Spain, while suffering from an infection and dehydration. In 2024, he had a pacemaker fitted after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. The same year, the palace announced he would make a “permanent reduction” to his public engagements out of consideration for his age. Despite repeated health setbacks, Harald has openly ruled out abdication. He has reigned since January 1991, making him one of Europe’s longest-serving monarchs.
Queen Sonja was also admitted to hospital in May this year for examination and observation related to heart problems. The king’s hospitalisation comes during an exceptionally difficult period for the Norwegian royal family.
Parts of the Difficulty
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of Crown Prince Haakon, revealed in March that she had exchanged hundreds of emails with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and had stayed at his Florida home. She told national television that she wished she had never met him. Also taking responsibility for failing to check his background thoroughly.
Three months later, in June, her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was found guilty of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison.
READ ALSO: https://alo360.net/trump-threatens-oman-strait-of-hormuz/
King Harald has ruled Norway for 34 years and has no intention of stepping aside. For now, Haakon carries the duties. The king will rest.
