Norway's King Harald has been hospitalised after a major health scare, with the Norwegian Palace confirming his 'health has deteriorated'. The 89-year-old monarch, who is Europe's oldest reigning king, was taken to the National Hospital in Oslo last week with a rare condition called haemolytic anaemia, where the immune system attacks red blood cells.
King on sick leave, Crown Prince steps in
As a result of the disorder, he was placed on sick leave from his royal duties, with his son and heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, acting as regent. The Norwegian Royal Family issued an urgent statement on Sunday with an update on the monarch's health.
The statement read: "His Majesty the King's health deteriorated over the weekend. The King is receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood, and has responded to this treatment." They added: "His condition is stable. His Majesty will remain at Oslo University Hospital (Rikshospitalet) and is on sick leave until further notice."
Treatment for blood disease
Many members of the Norwegian Royal Family have been seen visiting the hospital. The Palace confirmed the King's condition within the last few weeks, saying he had "been treated with cortisone for the blood disease haemolytic anaemia. This has led to fluid accumulation in the body that requires treatment in hospital."
The disorder typically results in fatigue and breathlessness. The sole cause of the condition is not always obvious, but it can be caused by infections, other autoimmune conditions or certain drugs.
History of health issues
King Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, has suffered a series of health issues in the past. In April 2024, Norway's royal household said that the King would make a 'permanent reduction' to his public engagements 'out of consideration for his age'. That year, the king had been fitted with a pacemaker after falling ill on holiday in Malaysia. King Harald was also taken to hospital while on holiday in Tenerife in February after a health issue.
As a result of the King's health, his wife, Queen Sonja, will now undertake a series of royal engagements, due to take place on September 1 and 2, on her own while her husband remains in hospital. Harald and Sonja are due to celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary on Saturday.
Other royal health battles
King Harald is not the only member of the Norwegian Royal Family who has been battling major health conditions recently, as his daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is still recovering from a lung transplant. The princess, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, underwent a lung transplant in June as she continued to battle pulmonary fibrosis, which had worsened in recent months following her diagnosis with the disease in 2018.
In July, she announced she had been discharged from hospital following her major surgery, as she issued an emotional statement thanking healthcare workers for their support. According to Are Holm, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, the 52-year-old royal's condition is "as good as can be expected", adding that her rehabilitation will be closely monitored over the coming months.
