Norway’s King Harald V has been admitted to hospital and will take two weeks of sick leave, the country’s royal household announced on Monday.
The 89-year-old monarch, one of Europe’s longest-serving kings, has recently been receiving cortisone treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition that reduces the number of red blood cells and can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.
The royal household said King Harald was admitted to hospital because of fluid retention in his body that requires medical treatment.
During his absence, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, will assume his father’s duties and serve as regent.
The latest hospitalisation comes after a series of health concerns involving the elderly monarch. In February, King Harald was treated in hospital on the Spanish island of Tenerife after developing an infection and suffering from dehydration.
He was also fitted with a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill while on holiday in Malaysia.
In April 2024, the Norwegian royal household announced that King Harald would make a “permanent reduction” in his public engagements due to his age.
The monarch, who ascended the Norwegian throne in January 1991, has previously made clear that he has no intention of abdicating.
King Harald’s health issues come as other members of Norway’s royal family have also faced medical and personal challenges.
Queen Sonja was admitted to hospital in May this year for examinations and observation after experiencing heart-related problems, according to the palace.
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, has faced scrutiny over her past association with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In March, she told Norwegian national television that she regretted ever meeting Epstein and accepted responsibility for failing to investigate his background more carefully.
The crown princess had exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and had stayed at his Florida residence while he was not there.
Three months later, her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison.
For now, Crown Prince Haakon will take on his father’s royal responsibilities while King Harald remains on medical leave.
