Concern is growing over King Harald V of Norway after the Royal House announced a new setback in the 89-year-old monarch’s health. The palace confirmed that his condition worsened over the weekend while he remains hospitalized in Oslo.
“His Majesty The King’s condition worsened over the weekend,” the Norwegian Royal House announced on Sunday, August 23. “His Majesty is receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection and has responded to this treatment.”
Despite the concerning development, the latest update offers some reassurance. According to the palace, the King’s condition is currently stable. He will remain at Rikshospitalet, part of Oslo University Hospital, and is on sick leave until further notice.
The bacterial infection marks a new complication in what has already been a difficult period for the Norwegian monarch. King Harald was admitted to the hospital on August 17 following a medical examination while undergoing treatment for hemolytic anemia, a blood disorder involving the premature destruction of red blood cells.
© Rune HellestadWhy King Harald was initially hospitalized:
Before the latest infection was announced, the Royal House revealed that the King had been receiving cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks. The treatment resulted in fluid accumulating in his body, requiring hospital care.
“The King has been treated with cortisone for the blood disease hemolytic anemia in recent weeks,” the palace said when announcing his hospitalization. “This has led to fluid accumulation in the body that requires treatment in hospital.”
© OLE BERG-RUSTENAt the time, King Harald was initially placed on sick leave for two weeks, with his son Crown Prince Haakon stepping in as regent. The latest palace schedule continues to identify Haakon as “Crown Prince Regent,” while the King remains away from his duties.
Haakon visited his father at the hospital on Monday following the latest health update, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, as reported by the Associated Press. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has also publicly expressed his support for the monarch, saying that the country is closely following his condition.
© Patrick van KatwijkA challenging period for the 89-year-old King:
King Harald, who has reigned since 1991, has faced several health challenges in recent years. Earlier this year, he required hospital treatment while vacationing in Spain’s Canary Islands after developing an infection.
In 2024, he became ill with an infection during a private trip to Malaysia and was temporarily fitted with a pacemaker before being medically transported back to Norway, where a permanent pacemaker was implanted.
© Rune HellestadDespite those previous health setbacks, Harald has repeatedly returned to his royal duties. For now, however, there is no confirmed date for his return, and Crown Prince Haakon will continue carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as regent while his father recovers.
As of Monday, August 24, the Royal House had not announced any further change in the King’s condition following Sunday’s statement. The most recent information remains that he is stable, has responded to antibiotic treatment, and will remain hospitalized for the time being.
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