King Harald V of Norway is currently in an "extremely serious" condition at Oslo University Hospital, according to an official statement released by the country's royal household. The 89-year-old monarch, who has occupied the throne since 1991 and is currently Europe's oldest head of state, has been hospitalized for more than a week. He is receiving ongoing treatment for a rare blood condition identified as haemolytic anaemia.
In response to the worsening situation, Queen Sonja and the King's son, Crown Prince Haakon, have cancelled all of their scheduled royal engagements. They have joined other members of the royal family at the hospital to maintain a vigil at his bedside. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, who is the successor to the Norwegian throne, has been serving as regent while his father remains on medical leave. Observers noted that other family members, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the King's sister, Princess Astrid, were also seen arriving at the hospital on Thursday morning.
The King's medical team has been treating him in recent weeks with cortisone to manage the haemolytic anaemia. This condition causes a reduction in the body's red blood cell count, which leads to symptoms including significant fatigue and shortness of breath. King Harald has faced a series of health complications in recent years that have necessitated a reduction in his royal duties. Notably, he was fitted with a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill while on holiday in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed the situation in a formal statement to the media, noting, "The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family."
The Norwegian royal family has faced a particularly challenging year in 2026. Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant in June, following a 2018 diagnosis of a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis. That medical procedure occurred just two days before her son, 29-year-old Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on two counts of rape. Høiby, who is not a royal figure, has denied the most serious charges and is currently planning to appeal the sentence. Earlier in the year, public documents revealed that the Crown Princess had maintained frequent contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She subsequently apologized to the King and Queen for the three-year friendship, admitting to "poor judgement" and stating in a national television interview that she wished she had never met him.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.