Norway's king admitted to hospital and put on sick leave
The 89-year-old - one of Europe's longest-serving monarchs - is suffering from a rare blood condition.
King Harald V of Norway has been hospitalized and will be on sick leave for two weeks, as confirmed by the royal household on Monday. The 89-year-old monarch, among Europe's longest-reigning, has recently been receiving cortisone treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood disorder that diminishes red blood cell count, leading to fatigue and shortness of breath.
The palace indicated that the king's admission was due to "fluid retention in the body that requires treatment in hospital." During his recovery, his 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, will assume the role of regent and take over royal duties.
In April 2024, the Norwegian royal household announced that King Harald would implement a "permanent reduction" in his public engagements, citing "consideration for his age." The king, who ascended the Scandinavian throne in January 1991, has consistently dismissed the idea of abdicating.
His recent health issues include a hospitalization in February on the Spanish island of Tenerife for an infection and dehydration. In 2024, he also had a pacemaker fitted after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. Queen Sonja, his wife, was also hospitalized in May of this year for heart-related examinations and observation, according to the palace.
These health concerns for the king and queen follow a challenging period for the Norwegian royal family. In March, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of Crown Prince Haakon, publicly expressed regret on national television about ever having met the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The crown princess had exchanged numerous emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and had stayed at his Florida residence when he was not present. She stated, "It is incredibly important for me to take responsibility for not checking his background more carefully."
Three months later, in June, her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison.