King Harald’s Condition Turns Critical

Norwegians have gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to lay flowers and express their support for King Harald V after the Norwegian royal household said his condition had become “extremely serious.” The 89-year-old monarch has been receiving treatment at Oslo University Hospital for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood disorder, and has been in hospital for 10 days.

Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and other members of the royal family cancelled their engagements to remain at the king’s bedside. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, who is next in line to the throne, has been serving as regent while his father is on leave. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also cancelled a planned trip to Germany, saying the entire nation was sending warm thoughts to the king and his family.

King Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, is Europe’s oldest head of state and has faced several health problems in recent years. He received a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. The royal family has also faced other challenges this year, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s lung transplant and the conviction of her son Marius Borg Høiby.

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