The health of Norway's King Harald V has deteriorated over the weekend while he remains hospitalized, the royal household announced Sunday. The 89-year-old monarch, Europe's oldest reigning head of state, was admitted to the hospital on Monday for treatment of anemia.
According to a statement from the palace, King Harald is currently receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood and has responded to the treatment. His condition is reported as stable. The King has been treated with cortisone for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks, a condition that causes red blood cells to be destroyed at an unusually rapid rate, leading to fatigue, paleness, and breathing difficulties. This condition has caused fluid accumulation in his body requiring hospitalization.
King Harald will be on sick leave for the next two weeks, with Crown Prince Haakon serving as regent during this period. The palace stated that further information regarding the impact on the Royal House's official program would be provided later.
This is not the first recent health concern for the King. He visited the hospital just days prior for a planned check-up. In February, he was hospitalized in Tenerife for an infection and dehydration. Two years ago, he underwent a similar health scare in Malaysia that resulted in the fitting of a pacemaker.
Despite his ongoing health issues, King Harald has previously stated his commitment to his role, emphasizing that his oath to the Norwegian Parliament was for life and that he would not abdicate due to poor health.
The King's health issues come amid scrutiny of the royal family concerning Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. The Crown Princess faced intense public attention after revelations of her stay at Epstein's mansion in 2013, following his conviction for soliciting sex from minors. She later issued an apology, stating the emails did not represent her and that she had severed ties with Epstein early on. The King had previously defended his daughter-in-law, noting that she had not broken any laws.
Earlier in the year, Queen Sonja, 89, was also hospitalized for heart problems, including heart fibrillation and heart failure. She has since been discharged and is reported to be in much better condition. She had a pacemaker fitted last year following cardiac fibrillation.