Norway's King Harald 'Extremely Serious' in Hospital

King Harald V of Norway is in "extremely serious" condition, with the nation's royal household confirming his hospitalization. The 89-year-old monarch has been receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition, for over a week at Oslo University Hospital. His wife, Queen Sonja, and their son, Crown Prince Haakon, have postponed their royal duties to be at his bedside alongside other family members.

As Europe's oldest head of state, King Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, is being cared for during this critical time. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has assumed the role of regent while his father is on leave. The king's recent health issues, including a pacemaker implantation in 2024, have led to a scaling back of his public duties.

The Norwegian royal family has faced a challenging period recently. In June 2026, Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed in 2018. Earlier in 2026, her son Marius Borg Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison for rape charges, a decision he intends to appeal. Additionally, documents revealed Mette-Marit's past association with Jeffrey Epstein, for which she later apologized, citing poor judgment.