King of Norway’s health has worsened, palace says
Norway's King Harald V, 89, has seen his health deteriorate while in hospital being treated with antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection, the royal palace has announced. Although he has responded to the treatment, the monarch will remain at Oslo University Hospital and stay on leave from royal duties until further notice, extending an absence that began a week ago. The news adds to a difficult stretch for Norway's royal family, with King Harald's son, Crown Prince Haakon, continuing to act as regent in his father's place.
King Harald, who has reigned since 1991, had already been receiving cortisone treatment for a rare blood condition called haemolytic anaemia, which reduces red blood cell counts and causes fatigue and breathlessness. He has faced recurring health issues in recent years, including a pacemaker fitted in 2024 after falling ill in Malaysia, prompting a "permanent reduction" in his public engagements. The wider royal family has endured a turbulent 2026, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit receiving a lung transplant in June, her son Marius Borg Høiby being sentenced to four years in prison for rape, and Mette-Marit apologising for her past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
- King Harald V's health has worsened in hospital, palace confirms
- He remains on antibiotics for a bloodstream infection, on leave indefinitely
- Crown Prince Haakon continues as regent amid a tough year for royals
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Norway is a constitutional monarchy, and King Harald V has served as its head of state since 1991. Now 89, he holds a largely ceremonial role, with day-to-day political power resting with an elected government, but he remains a prominent public figure. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, is next in line to the throne and has been standing in as regent, carrying out royal duties, while his father has been unwell.
The King has dealt with a series of health problems in recent years, including a heart pacemaker fitted in 2024, and has already been undergoing treatment for a rare blood disorder that affects red blood cells and causes tiredness and breathlessness. This latest hospital stay, for a bacterial infection, comes on top of that existing condition, which is why his progress is being closely watched.
The story also sits within a wider difficult period for Norway's royal family, which has faced several unrelated challenges this year involving other members of the household. This context has kept the family under sustained public and media attention, adding to the significance of any news about the King's health.