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KING HARALD

Norway’s King Harald to remain in hospital

Norway's 86-year-old King Harald V, admitted to hospital earlier this week, will be on sick leave until May 16th, the eve of the country's national day, the palace announced Friday.

Published: 12 May 2023 17:32 CEST
Pictured is King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.
File photo: King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway arrive at the gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace on September 11, 2022, during celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen of Denmark's accession to the throne. (Photo by Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) /

That is several days longer than initially planned. The palace had on Monday said the popular monarch had been admitted to hospital with his third
infection since last summer.

“His Majesty the King is for the timebeing on sick leave until May 16,” the palace said in a statement. “The King is still recovering but will remain a
few more days at Oslo University Hospital.”

On Tuesday, the palace said the monarch would be in hospital until the end of the week, and would not take part in the state visit of Italy’s President
Sergio Mattarella to Norway on Thursday and Friday.

A return to his official duties by May 17th would however enable him to participate in Norway’s national day festivities that day.

In addition to the infections, Harald has also been hospitalised on a number of occasions in recent years for Covid, knee and heart surgery, and respiratory problems.

The former Olympic yachtsman, who has ruled for 32 years in a largely ceremonial role, has repeatedly refused to abdicate.

Harald is the grandson of Haakon VII — the first Norwegian regent after the country gained independence from Sweden in 1905 — and has ruled since
January 1991.

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ROYALS

Norway’s King Harald to reduce his workload

Norway's 87-year-old King Harald, who returned to work on Monday after nearly two months' sick leave, will reduce his workload due to his advanced age, the palace said.

Published: 22 April 2024 13:29 CEST
Norway's King Harald to reduce his workload

Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, who is in fragile health, contracted an infection while on holiday on the Malaysian island of Langkawi in late February.

He was repatriated on a medical transport flight to Norway, where he was fitted with a permanent pacemaker to replace a temporary one he received in Malaysia.

“His majesty the King is happy to be back and resume his duties,” the palace said.

However, it said the monarch would “make adjustments to his schedule going forward, given his age”, citing “a permanent reduction in the number and scope of activities”.

Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, needs crutches to get around and has suffered a series of health issues in recent years.

But he has dismissed speculation that he would follow the lead of his 83-year-old distant cousin Queen Margrethe II in Denmark and abdicate.

Crown Prince Haakon, 50, steps in as regent when the king is absent.

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