Norway’s King Harald, 89, is in “very serious” health condition as his status has deteriorated while hospitalized, the royal court announced Thursday. The monarch, Europe's oldest living royal and Norway’s ceremonial head of state since 1991, was admitted to Oslo University Hospital on August 17 for treatment of a bacterial infection in his blood.
In response to the king's critical condition, Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja, his wife, have canceled all their scheduled public engagements. Members of the royal family, including the Crown Prince and Queen, have been seen arriving at the hospital where the King is being treated, according to Norwegian media reports.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere issued a statement expressing the nation's solidarity, saying, “The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family.”
King Harald had announced in 2024 that he intended to reduce his official duties due to his age but had previously ruled out abdication, stating that his oath as king was for life.
