Norway’s King Harald V Hospitalised; Crown Prince Haakon Takes Over

King Harald V, the 89‑year‑old ruler of Norway, has been admitted to hospital for a two‑week sick leave, according to the royal household. He was treated for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition that reduces the number of red blood cells, thereby causing fatigue and shortness of breath. The palace cited fluid retention as the immediate reason for his admission and noted that prompt hospital treatment was required.

Across the past year, the king’s health has prompted a series of high‑profile hospital visits, including treatments in Tenerife, Malaysia and mandatory pacemaker insertion. Queen Sonja also faced a brief hospital stay in May for heart observation. Despite these setbacks, King Harald has publicly ruled out abdication and now sits on a temporary sick leave.

During Harald’s absence, Crown Prince Haakon, aged 53, will serve as regent, officially taking over the monarch’s duties at public engagements and state functions. This temporary shift places the prince in the spotlight, marking his first full assumption of royal responsibilities.

The royal family’s recent history has been under the lens of media scrutiny, with Crown Princess Mette‑Marit publicly discussing her past associations with Jeffrey Epstein and her son, Marius Borg Høiby, being convicted of rape. These events have added to the scrutiny faced by the monarchy during its period of health concerns.

The royal household has urged the public to respect the King’s privacy while it attends to his condition. The Norwegian people demonstrate longstanding support for Harald, who has ruled since 1991, yet the nation watches keenly as Crown Prince Haakon steps into the role of regent amid the king’s medical leave.