Queen Sonja of Norway is in the hospital. The Norwegian Royal House announced on April 21 that the 87-year-old royal, who was at the Royal Mountain Chalet "Prinsehytta," located in the mountains of Jotunheimen in Sikkilsdalen, was taken by air ambulance to National Hospital on Monday evening.
© Per Ole Hagen/Getty Images"Her Majesty the Queen was admitted to the National Hospital this evening for examinations due to shortness of breath," the Royal House said (translated to English). "The Queen was transported by air ambulance from the Prince's Cabin in Sikkilsdalen, where the Royal Couple spent the Easter holiday."
Back in January, the Norwegian Queen was admitted to Lillehammer Hospital after suffering atrial fibrillation during a skiing trip. At the time, the Royal House noted that the situation was "not considered serious." Her Majesty was discharged the following day, and days later had a pacemaker inserted. The procedure was described as "successful."
Earlier this month, the Queen participated in the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and her husband Björn Skúlason's state visit to Norway, along with other members of the royal family.
Prior to being hospitalized, Her Majesty was originally scheduled to visit Sofienberg Church in Oslo on April 24, where she was due to be given a tour of the site to see how Spireverket is contributing to the work of transforming the church into a cultural center for children, youth and the neighborhood. In a press release, general manager Olav Sætersbakken said (via the Royal House): "The fact that the Queen wants to see our work means a lot – both to us and to all the young people who put their effort and creativity into it."
Also on April 24, the Queen is scheduled in the evening to attend the opening of the "AK Dolven. Amazon" exhibition at the National Museum. It's unclear at this time if both of those engagements will move forward as planned.
© CORNELIUS POPPE/NTB/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesQueen Sonja is the wife of King Harald V. The pair have been married since August 1968. Sonja and the King share two kids: Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise.
Following Queen Margrethe of Denmark's abdication last year, King Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, shared that he did not plan on abdicating. According to VG, His Majesty said, “I stand by what I have said all along, I have taken an oath to the Storting and it lasts for life."
Crown Prince Haakon is first in line to the throne, followed by his and wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit's 21-year-old daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
