King Harald of Norway’s Condition Worsens as He Remains Hospitalized
King Harald V of Norway’s health has taken a turn for the worse, the palace said, as the 89-year-old monarch remains hospitalized with a bacterial bloodstream infection.
The palace said Harald has responded to antibiotics despite the deterioration in his condition, but he will stay at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and remain on sick leave from his official duties until further notice.
Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, was admitted to hospital and put on sick leave a week ago. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent in his place.
The latest health setback follows recent weeks of cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia, a rare blood disorder that reduces red blood cells and can lead to fatigue and shortness of breath.
Even before this episode, the palace had signaled that the king’s public schedule would be curtailed. In April 2024, Norway’s royal household said Harald would make a “permanent reduction” to his engagements “out of consideration for his age.” That year, he also had a pacemaker inserted after falling ill while on vacation in Malaysia.
The new health concern deepens what has already been a challenging 2026 for Norway’s royal family.
In June, Crown Princess Mette-Marit received a lung transplant after being diagnosed with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The transplant came two days after Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on two counts of rape. Høiby denied the most serious charges, and his lawyers said they would appeal.
Høiby, 29, was four when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon. He is not a royal figure and has no formal public role.
Earlier in the year, documents released publicly revealed Mette-Marit had frequent contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She later apologized to Norway’s king and queen for her three-year friendship with Epstein, acknowledged “poor judgement,” and told national television she wished she had never met him.
The renewed concern over the king’s health leaves Crown Prince Haakon in a demanding position: he will continue to act as regent until doctors clear his father to resume royal duties.