King's Health and Treatment
King Harald V of Norway, 89, was hospitalized on Monday, as confirmed by the royal household. The palace revealed that he is taking a two-week sick leave due to fluid retention requiring medical attention. This issue arose from cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia, a blood disorder that affects red blood cell count and leads to fatigue and breathing difficulties.[S1][S5][S6]
The king has faced multiple health issues in recent years. In February, he was hospitalized on the Spanish island of Tenerife for an infection and dehydration. In 2024, he had a pacemaker fitted after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. The palace also announced in April 2024 that he would permanently reduce his public engagements due to his age. Despite these challenges, Harald has consistently ruled out abdication, citing his lifelong oath to the Norwegian Parliament.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S6]
Royal Family's Recent Struggles
Queen Sonja, 89, was hospitalized in May for heart issues, but only briefly. Princess Astrid, the king's sister, also has a heart condition. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has an incurable lung disease, received a lung transplant in July. These health concerns follow a challenging period for the Norwegian royal family, which included the revelation of Mette-Marit's communication with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from 2011 to 2014.[S1][S3][S4]
In a March interview, Queen Mette-Marit expressed regret over her association with Epstein. Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, from a previous relationship, received a four-year prison sentence in June for rape, violence against a former partner, and 30 additional charges. Høiby is appealing the decision. King Harald's hospitalization is his second this month, following a scheduled checkup ten days prior.[S2][S3][S5]
