Norway Royal Family Gathers as King Harald's Condition Worsens
Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon cancel engagements as 89-year-old King Harald receives treatment at Oslo University Hospital.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- King Harald V of Norway, 89, is receiving hospital treatment for haemolytic anaemia.
- Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon have gathered at his bedside in Oslo.
- Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre cancelled a planned official trip to Germany.
- Members of the public have begun leaving floral tributes outside the royal palace.
The royal family of Norway has rushed to the bedside of King Harald V after palace officials confirmed that the monarch's health has deteriorated significantly. Queen Sonja and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, have cleared their schedules of all royal engagements and gathered alongside other relatives at Oslo University Hospital.
The 89-year-old sovereign has spent over a week receiving medical care for a rare blood condition known as haemolytic anaemia, which diminishes red blood cell counts and triggers severe fatigue as well as shortness of breath. Medical teams have been administering cortisone treatments in recent weeks to manage his condition.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
On Thursday morning, additional members of the royal family were spotted arriving at the medical facility, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her son, Marius Borg Høiby. According to reports from Norwegian media outlets, Princess Astrid, the sister of King Harald, is also present at the hospital to support the family during this critical time.
Political leadership has also responded immediately to the health update. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called off a scheduled official visit to Germany, where he was slated to meet with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.
"The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family."
Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway
Public concern has grown outside the royal residence, with citizens beginning to lay flowers in Palace Square in central Oslo. King Harald, who has reigned since 1991 and holds the title of Europe's oldest head of state, has faced multiple health setbacks in recent years, including receiving a pacemaker in 2024 following an illness while holidaying in Malaysia.
This health crisis unfolds during an already demanding year for the Norwegian royal household in 2026, following Crown Princess Mette-Marit's lung transplant and legal developments involving her son. With Crown Prince Haakon acting as regent during his father's medical leave, the institution faces a crucial period of transition and public scrutiny regarding its future stability.
Source: BBC World
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment