King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, is in critical condition after a sharp decline in his health. The 89-year-old king was admitted to Oslo’s Rikshospitalet ten days ago with anemia, followed soon after by a serious blood infection. The Norwegian royal household says his condition has worsened significantly. Queen Sonia and Crown Prince Haakon, who is acting as regent, have suspended all official activities.
Queen Sonia and Crown Prince Haakon have been at the hospital since early morning, with Mette-Marit also there. Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus joined them later, national broadcaster NRK reported. The king’s sister, Princess Astrid, also arrived. Marius Borg Høiby, Mette-Marit’s eldest son, came to the hospital despite serving house arrest after a conviction last June on two counts of rape and abuse against a former partner.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has expressed concern and sent his best wishes to the king and his family. He also voiced confidence in the medical care being provided. The prime minister’s schedule remains unchanged, but the president of the Norwegian Parliament canceled a planned trip to Iceland to return home. Members of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee are returning from South Korea. The College of Bishops of the Lutheran Church of Norway is cutting short its stay in Rome.
Six days ago, the royal household confirmed that the king had been hospitalized with anemia, which had caused fluid retention and required cortisone treatment. Earlier this year, Harald V spent several weeks on medical leave after a leg infection led to a hospital stay in Tenerife, Spain. Last weekend, the palace said his condition had worsened because of a bacterial blood infection. He initially responded well to antibiotics and remained under observation.
Throughout his hospital stay, the king has received visits from his wife and both children, with Crown Prince Haakon temporarily assuming the regency. Both royal spouses have faced recent health challenges. Princess Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant in June due to pulmonary fibrosis, while Durek Verrett, husband of Princess Märtha Louise, recently received a kidney transplant.
King Harald V has faced a series of health setbacks in recent years, including the implantation of a permanent pacemaker in 2024 and hospitalization for COVID-19 in 2022. In April 2024, he announced a permanent reduction in his royal duties to avoid affecting the monarchy’s public role. The current crisis has drawn attention across Europe, where royal health and succession issues remain sensitive topics. Royal affairs have also drawn attention elsewhere. In Morocco, the king’s recent actions regarding Ceuta and Melilla have made headlines.
Norway’s monarchy, established in its modern form in 1905, has long played a symbolic role in national unity. King Harald V has been on the throne since 1991 and is widely regarded as a stabilizing figure. His current health crisis affects the royal family and has implications for the country’s political and social field as the nation awaits further updates from the palace.
