The Norwegian royal palace announced on Monday that King Harald V’s health has worsened while he remains hospitalized for a bacterial infection in his bloodstream. Despite the deterioration in his condition, the palace stated that the 89-year-old monarch has responded to medical treatment. He is currently receiving antibiotics at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.
King Harald has been on sick leave since his admission to the hospital one week ago. In recent weeks, he has also been treated with cortisone for hemolytic anemia, a rare blood condition that reduces red blood cells and causes fatigue and shortness of breath. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has assumed the role of regent and is performing royal duties while the King is on leave.
The King’s current hospitalization follows a permanent reduction in his public engagements announced in April 2024 due to his age. Earlier that year, he was fitted with a pacemaker after falling ill during a trip to Malaysia. The palace has not provided a specific date for his return to duties, stating he will remain on leave until further notice.
The King's illness adds to a series of significant events affecting the royal household in 2026. This includes the recent lung transplant of Crown Princess Mette-Marit in June and the four-year prison sentence of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, following a rape conviction. While Høiby is not a royal figure, these legal and health issues involving the immediate family of the heir to the throne have concentrated national attention on the stability and future of the monarchy.
The situation sets a precedent for how the Norwegian government manages extended periods of regency as the monarch’s health fluctuates. What happens next depends on King Harald’s response to the ongoing antibiotic treatment at Rikshospitalet. The palace has not yet announced a timeline for his discharge or the resumption of his official schedule. His son will continue to serve as regent until the King is medically cleared to return to his role.