King of Norway's health has worsened, palace says

Norway's King Harald V is facing worsening health, with the palace announcing he remains hospitalized receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection. Despite responding well to treatment, the 89-year-old monarch will remain at Oslo University Hospital and on leave from royal duties until further notice. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent during his father's absence.

King Harald was admitted to the hospital a week ago and has been treated with cortisone for a rare blood condition known as haemolytic anaemia, which reduces red blood cells and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath. In 2024, Norway's royal household announced a permanent reduction in the king's public engagements due to his age.

The previous year, King Harald received a pacemaker after falling ill while on holiday in Malaysia. The Norwegian royal family has had a challenging year, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit receiving a lung transplant in June and her son, Marius Borg Høiby, serving a four-year prison sentence for rape. Mette-Marit had also been linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein, whom she apologized to for her friendship with in a national TV interview.