27.08.2026 17:21
It was announced that the health condition of King Harald V of Norway is "extremely serious." The 89-year-old Harald has been hospitalized since August 17 due to anemia. The public has begun laying flowers in front of the palace in Oslo.
In a statement from the Royal Palace of Norway, it was stated that the health condition of King Harald V, who was hospitalized last week, is "extremely serious."
ALL ROYAL EVENTS CANCELLED
The statement did not provide further details. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, cancelled all royal events and came to Oslo University Hospital with other family members. The public, on the other hand, began to leave flowers in front of the palace in Oslo.
HOSPITALIZED SINCE AUGUST 17
Europe's oldest monarch has been hospitalized since August 17 due to hemolytic anemia, a condition that causes an abnormally rapid breakdown of red blood cells and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath. In a statement made on Sunday, it was reported that he was receiving antibiotic treatment due to a bacterial infection in his blood and was responding positively to the treatment.
ASCENDED TO THE THRONE IN 1991
King Harald V, one of Europe's longest-serving monarchs, had been receiving cortisone treatment in recent weeks due to hemolytic anemia, a rare blood disease. The king, who ascended to the throne in January 1991, had openly refused to abdicate despite his advancing age. In February, King Harald V was hospitalized on the Spanish island of Tenerife due to an infection and dehydration issue, and in 2024, he fell ill while on holiday in Malaysia and had a pacemaker fitted. Queen Sonja was also hospitalized in May of this year for examinations and observation due to heart problems.