Norway’s King Harald Remains in ‘Very Serious’ Condition
Norwegian King Harald V remains in a “very serious” condition in hospital after his health suddenly deteriorated earlier on Thursday.
Norway's King Harald V is still in a “very serious” condition at the hospital, following a sudden deterioration in his health earlier Thursday. The 89-year-old monarch was admitted to the Oslo University hospital on August 17 due to fluid accumulation caused by cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia. Reports indicate that the king's condition worsened on Thursday morning, with no improvement observed by afternoon.
The royal palace announced that Harald's immediate family visited him on Thursday, but his condition remained unchanged. Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja have canceled their official engagements, including scheduled trips, while Haakon assumes regency duties during the King's illness. The Norwegian parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee adjourned their trip to South Korea, and the parliament speaker returned early from Iceland.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also canceled his trip to Germany. Harald V is highly regarded in Norway for his inclusive approach and willingness to address potentially controversial issues. A 2026 survey by NRK revealed that 92% of Norwegians viewed the monarchy positively, with Harald receiving a score of 9.2 out of 10. In a 2016 speech, the king emphasized Norway's diversity, stating that Norwegians include everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or background. In 2024, Harald underwent heart surgery to implant a pacemaker.
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