The health of King Harald V of Norway has deteriorated and is now very serious after he was hospitalised in Oslo, royal officials announced on Thursday, August 27.
Following the announcement, Crown Prince Haakon, who is currently serving as regent, and Queen Sonja cancelled all of their upcoming official engagements.
The Royal Palace had not provided an update on the monarch for three days before confirming on Thursday that his condition had worsened. Norway's 89-year-old king, who is Europe's oldest living monarch, was admitted last week to Rikshospitalet in Oslo to treat side effects from a cortisone treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a blood disorder he suffers from.
Haemolytic anaemia is a medical condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can produce them. Rikshospitalet serves as Norway's primary university hospital in the capital.
Local press outlets immediately went on high alert following the palace statement, running live coverage of the developing situation. Members of the royal family arrived at the hospital throughout the day, including the king's elder sister, Princess Astrid, who was seen arriving on Thursday morning.
Hospital visits and cancelled trips
In a further update released at 5:00 pm on Thursday, the Royal Palace stated that the king's health status remained unchanged. Official communications confirmed that a planned journey by Crown Prince Haakon to Færder National Park and a visit by Queen Sonja to Trøndelag were both cancelled.
King Harald received visits throughout the day from several close relatives. Among those visiting his bedside were his eldest daughter, Princess Märtha Louise, and his step-grandson Marius Borg Høiby.
Høiby was permitted to visit the hospital despite currently being placed under house arrest while awaiting his appeal trial following a conviction for rape.
Previous health issues
King Harald has experienced a series of health problems over recent years. In February, the Norwegian government considered repatriating the monarch from the Canary Islands, where he was holidaying with his wife, after a leg skin infection forced him to spend several days in a local hospital. His personal doctor travelled to the island to supervise his care.
Crown Prince Haakon had celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with Crown Princess Mette-Marit earlier in the week before stepping in to take over official duties as regent during his father's hospitalisation.
