King Harald V of Norway, aged 89, has experienced a significant decline in health while hospitalized. The Norwegian Royal Palace stated he is in a "very critical" condition, leading Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon to cancel all official engagements.
The Norwegian Royal Palace issued an urgent statement today (27 Aug) reporting that Queen Sonja announced King Harald V, aged 89, who is being treated at Oslo University Hospital, has severely worsened and is in a "very critical" condition.
Following the palace announcement, Queen Sonja, aged 89, along with 53-year-old Crown Prince Haakon, who acts as regent, immediately canceled all duties. Local Norwegian media showed all royal family members, including Princess Mette-Marit, the Crown Prince’s wife, rushing to the hospital to closely monitor the King’s condition beside his bedside.
King Harald V, the longest-reigning and oldest monarch in Europe, has been hospitalized since 17 August. Initially treated for swelling caused by steroid (cortisone) use, he was later diagnosed with hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed at an abnormally rapid rate, causing fatigue and breathing difficulties. A bacterial bloodstream infection was also detected.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre issued a statement saying, "The entire Norwegian nation sends warm thoughts and support to His Majesty and the royal family. I am confident he is receiving excellent and compassionate care from his medical team."
This crisis has had widespread impact. The Speaker of Norway’s Parliament abruptly canceled a visit to Iceland to return home. Meanwhile, the bishops of the Church of Norway, who were meeting the Pope in Rome, ended their mission early to return to Norway as soon as possible.
King Harald V ascended the throne in 1991 and has faced ongoing health challenges recently, including a pacemaker operation. Although he has reduced official duties due to age, he has consistently stated he will "not abdicate," emphasizing his lifelong royal oath to the Norwegian Parliament.
The King’s illness comes amid multiple challenges for the Norwegian royal family, including scandals involving Princess Mette-Marit’s documented correspondence with American sex crime suspect Jeffrey Epstein, and the recent four-year prison sentence of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, for sexual assault and assault of a former partner. Nevertheless, King Harald V remains a deeply respected and unifying figure for the Norwegian people.