The health condition of Norway’s 89-year-old monarch, King Harald V, deteriorated over the weekend as he remains hospitalized for ongoing medical complications, according to an official statement released by the Royal Palace.
Europe’s oldest reigning monarch is currently undergoing treatment for hemolytic anemia, a disorder characterized by the rapid destruction of red blood cells that frequently causes severe fatigue, paleness, and respiratory difficulty.
Medical staff at Oslo University Hospital are also administering antibiotics to treat a bacterial blood infection, with palace officials confirming that the king has responded to the medication. He was initially admitted early last week to manage fluid retention resulting from cortisone treatment.
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Following an official two-week medical leave announcement, the palace confirmed that King Harald’s scheduled visit to the central region of Trøndelag in early September has been canceled. Members of the royal family, including Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon—who is currently serving as regent—Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and the king’s sister, have visited him at the hospital, though none issued public statements upon leaving.
King Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, has faced several health setbacks in recent years, including receiving a pacemaker and scaling back his public duties. Despite recurring hospitalizations, including a stay in Tenerife earlier this year for an infection and dehydration, he has consistently maintained that he will not abdicate, citing his lifelong oath to the Norwegian Parliament.
The king’s health decline occurs during a challenging period for the Norwegian monarchy, marked by legal and public scrutiny involving other members of the royal family. Despite these ongoing issues, King Harald remains a largely popular and unifying figure among the Norwegian public.
