King Harald V of Norway has been admitted to the hospital and placed on sick leave due to a rare blood condition. The 89-year-old monarch, one of Europe's longest-serving rulers, ascended the throne in January 1991 and has stated he has no intention of abdicating. This hospitalization follows a period of health concerns for the royal family. In February, King Harald was treated in a hospital on the Spanish island of Tenerife for an infection and dehydration. Earlier in 2024, he was fitted with a pacemaker after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. His wife, Queen Sonja, was also admitted to the hospital in May for examinations and observation due to heart problems. These health issues for the King and Queen have occurred amidst other challenges for the Norwegian royals. In March, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of Crown Prince Haakon, publicly stated her regret over not thoroughly checking the background of US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom she had exchanged hundreds of emails and stayed at his Florida home. Additionally, in June, her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison. In April 2024, the royal household announced King Harald would make a permanent reduction in his public engagements due to his age.