King of Norway’s health has worsened, palace says

Norway's King Harald V's health has deteriorated, according to the palace, as the 89-year-old remains hospitalized receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection. Despite the worsening condition, the monarch continues to respond to treatment, but he is on leave from royal duties until further notice. The palace reported that King Harald has been treated with cortisone for a rare blood condition called haemolytic anaemia, which reduces the number of red blood cells in the body and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent during his father's leave. In April 2024, it was announced that King Harald would reduce his public engagements permanently due to his age. The monarch was fitted with a pacemaker earlier that year after falling ill on a holiday in Malaysia. The Norwegian royal family has experienced a challenging year in 2026, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit receiving a lung transplant in June due to pulmonary fibrosis and her son Marius Borg Høiby being sentenced to four years in prison for rape.