Norway is facing a moment of profound concern after the Royal House announced that King Harald V’s state of health is “very serious.” “His Majesty the King’s state of health is very serious,” the palace said in a brief, one-sentence statement released on Thursday, August 27.
The 89-year-old monarch, who has occupied the Norwegian throne since 1991, has been hospitalized at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, since August 17. Following the latest update, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, who is serving as regent during his father’s illness, canceled their official engagements.
© Rune HellestadMembers of the royal family gathered at the hospital as concern for the King intensified. Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, Princess Märtha Louise and Princess Astrid were among those who traveled to Rikshospitalet to be by his side.
King Harald’s granddaughter Leah Isadora Behn was also seen arriving at the hospital, while Marius Borg Høiby, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s eldest son, joined the family despite having no official role within the monarchy.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesAlthough Marius is currently under electronic monitoring at Skaugum after being sentenced to four years in prison, pending an appeal, he was not seen wearing handcuffs during his visit. King Harald has always treated Marius as a member of his family.
Several relatives were later seen leaving the medical center with visibly somber expressions. Princess Astrid, the King’s 94-year-old sister, reportedly spent approximately five hours at the hospital before departing.
© Getty ImagesNorwegians leave flowers outside the palace:
As the royal family gathered around the King, members of the public began placing flowers outside the Royal Palace in Oslo. Some of the people who approached the palace were visibly emotional.
“It is a way to show respect for our dear King, our head of state,” Oslo resident Erik Birkemo told Norwegian media. “I admire him, and I believe it is important to give something back by leaving flowers.”
© Corbis via Getty ImagesMany Norwegians affectionately consider Harald “the grandfather of all Norway” and credit him with helping unite the country throughout his decades on the throne. Bouquets have also been left in other cities, including Bergen, as expressions of support for the monarch and his family.
The Swedish royal family, which shares close personal and family ties with Norway’s royals, has also expressed its support.
© Per Ole Hagen“Our royal family is in close contact with the Norwegian royal family and is offering its full support,” the Swedish Royal Court said in a statement sent to TV2.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is one of King Harald’s godchildren. Despite his mobility difficulties, the Norwegian monarch attended celebrations marking King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 80th birthday earlier this year.
Norwegian officials cancel their engagements:
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre released a statement after the palace announced the deterioration in the King’s health.
“I am deeply affected that the King’s health has deteriorated and that his condition is so serious,” he said. “I know that the entire country joins me in sending our warmest thoughts to the King and the rest of the royal family. I trust that the King is receiving the best possible care and excellent treatment at Rikshospitalet.”
© Per Ole HagenThe prime minister canceled his participation in a strategy meeting with the parliamentary leadership of Germany’s governing parties, as well as a working dinner with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Masud Gharahkhani, president of the Storting, interrupted a visit to Iceland and immediately returned to Norway.
© GTRES“I am deeply affected to learn that the King’s health has deteriorated and that the situation is now very serious,” Gharahkhani said. “We send our warmest thoughts and best wishes to our dear King and the entire royal family.”
Norwegian bishops also canceled a trip to Rome, where they were scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV, and returned to Norway following the troubling news.
King Harald’s condition deteriorates after 10 days in the hospital:
King Harald was admitted to Rikshospitalet on August 17 while undergoing treatment for anemia.
© Anne-Marie ForkerConcern intensified on August 23, when the palace announced that his condition had worsened over the weekend and that he was receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his bloodstream. At the time, the Royal House said the King had responded to the treatment and that his condition was stable.
A subsequent update released on August 24 said there had been no significant changes and that his condition remained stable. However, the palace announced three days later that the King’s state of health was now “very serious.”
© PHILIP DAVALIConsidering the monarch’s age and medical history, experts have warned that the situation is deeply concerning. “We must prepare for the worst,” Bjørn Tore Gjertsen, a senior consultant in hematology at Haukeland University Hospital, told NRK.
“When an older person is hospitalized for several days, that in itself is an indication of a complicated and difficult condition,” added Leif Otto Vatne, a geriatric specialist and senior consultant.
© Patrick van KatwijkKing Harald has experienced several health challenges in recent years and has increasingly used crutches because of mobility difficulties. He has also occasionally remained seated during audiences rather than standing.
Throughout his latest hospitalization, visits from his relatives, led by Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, have been constant as Norway waits for further news about its King.
