Royal Health Scare: Norway's King Harald V Hospitalized, Palace Confirms
King Harald V of Norway has been hospitalized for fluid retention stemming from treatment for haemolytic anaemia, with Crown Prince Haakon assuming regency. This comes amidst a challenging period for the Norwegian royal family, which has seen other members, including Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, also face significant health issues, alongside a recent legal matter involving Mette-Marit's son.The King of Norway, Harald V, has been admitted to the hospital and is currently on a two-week sick leave, during which Crown Prince Haakon will serve as regent. This development was announced by the royal palace, detailing that the 89-year-old monarch has been grappling with haemolytic anaemia, a blood disorder that leads to the premature destruction of red blood cells. Recent treatment with cortisone for this condition has resulted in fluid retention, necessitating his current hospital care.
King Harald V ascended to the throne of Norway on January 17, 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav. He married Queen Sonja in 1968. His current hospitalization is part of a series of health challenges faced by the Norwegian royal family in recent months. Princess Astrid, King Harald's sister, was hospitalized in May due to heart failure. In the same month, Queen Sonja also required hospitalization for heart problems.
Further compounding the family's health woes, Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a successful lung transplant in June. She had been diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis, a condition characterized by lung scarring and difficulty breathing. While she was discharged from the hospital in mid-July, she is not expected to participate in any official engagements for the next six months as she continues her recovery.
Beyond health matters, the royal family has also had to confront legal issues involving Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby. In June, Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of rape and other related offenses. These events collectively highlight a period of significant personal and public challenges for the Norwegian monarchy.