Norwegians lay flowers at palace as King Harald’s condition worsens

Norway's 89-year-old King Harald, who has been hospitalized with a blood disease, is now in "extremely serious" condition, according to the palace. Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, who is serving as regent during his father's illness, have cancelled all royal engagements and are reportedly at the king's bedside. The 53-year-old Crown Prince and his wife, Mette-Marit, arrived at the hospital to support their ailing monarch.

European royalty faces multiple health issues: Crown Prince Haakon's wife, Mette-Marit, is under scrutiny for ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and her son from a previous marriage, Marius Borg Hoiby, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for multiple rape charges. Despite these challenges, the Norwegian royal family remains broadly popular among the Norwegian public, largely due to King Harald's unifying presence and modest lifestyle.