Norway’s King Harald in an ‘extremely serious’ condition, Palace confirms
Aug. 27 (UPI) — The family of King Harald V of Norway gathered at his bedside in an Oslo hospital on Thursday with the Royal Household saying the 89-year-old’s condition was “extremely serious.”
Royal family members were seen arriving by car at Oslo University Hospital, including daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mette-Marit, with Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon canceling all royal engagements.
Norwegian media reported that Princess Astrid, Harald’s sister, was also in attendance.
NRK, the state-owned broadcast network, said the people of Norway should brace for “the worst.”
“The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement.
The king has been hospitalized for the past 10 days due to complications related to haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition where red blood cell attrition exceeds the rate at which they can be replaced, causing fatigue and breathing difficulties.
His condition unexpectedly worsened on Monday and deteriorated still further overnight.
The king has been hit by succession of health issues dating back to 2024 when he had a pacemaker fitted after being taken ill in Malaysia during a holiday, leading to him partially stepping back from royal duties in line with his advanced agee, including a “permanent reduction” in his public engagements.”
He was hospitalized for an infection and dehydration in February during a private visit to Tenerife with Queen Sonja, who is also 89.
His son, Prince Haakon, 53, is next in line in the succession.
There has never been any hint Harald might abdicate to allow Prince Haakon to take over, having long argued that the oath he took before the Norwegian Parliament when he ascended the throne in 1991 was for life.
