Norway’s King Harald V’s health has worsened, the palace said, as the monarch continues treatment for a severe bloodstream infection.
The 89‑year‑old king, who has reigned since 1991, was admitted to Oslo University Hospital in the last week of July and has been on sick leave ever since. He remains under antibiotic treatment for a bacterial infection that has escalated into a bloodstream complication.
The king has been in the hospital for weeks, responding to treatment despite deteriorating conditions, palace officials said. He will stay at Rikshospitalet and will continue to be put on leave from royal duties until further notice.
Earlier this year, the royal household announced that King Harald would permanently reduce his public engagements, citing his age. That same year, the king was fitted with a pacemaker after a serious illness during a holiday in Malaysia.
King Harald has also been battling haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition that reduces red blood cell count and can cause fatigue and shortness of breath. He has received cortisone treatment for this disorder over recent weeks.
Across 2026, the Norwegian royal family has faced a challenging year. Crown Princess Mette‑Marit underwent a lung transplant in June after a diagnosis of a rare pulmonary fibrosis, while her son Marius Borg Høiby received a four‑year prison sentence following a conviction of two counts of rape.
Earlier in the year, documents revealed Crown Princess Mette‑Marit’s frequent contact with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She later apologized to the king and queen for the friendship, admitting poor judgement and expressing regret during a televised interview.
For now, the palace says the king remains in a stable state under medical care but will not return to royal duties until his condition improves. The royal household continues to monitor his progress closely.
