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KING HARALD

Norway’s King Harald released from hospital

Norway's 86-year-old King Harald V, has been released from a week-long hospital stay for an infection but will remain on sick leave for the time being, the palace announced Monday.

Published: 15 May 2023 17:27 CEST
Norway's King Harald released from hospital
File photo: King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway arrive to attend a service to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's accession to the throne, at the Copenhagen Cathedral, on September 11, 2022. (Photo by Martin Sylvest / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) /

“A final assessment will take place on Tuesday, May 16 to determine whether His Majesty the King can carry out the celebrations on May 17,” Norway’s national day, the Royal House of Norway said in a statement.

The court announced last Monday that the king had been admitted to hospital over an infection, the third time since last summer.

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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