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Norway’s 89-year-old King Harald is in an “extremely serious” condition after his health deteriorated while being treated in hospital for a blood disorder, the royal palace said on Thursday.
“His Majesty the King’s health condition is extremely serious,” the palace said in a statement, without providing further details.
Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, who is acting as regent during his father’s illness, have cancelled all royal engagements, while Norwegian media reported that members of the royal family were at the king’s bedside.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who cancelled a planned visit to Germany following the update, said he was “deeply affected” by the deterioration in the king’s health.
“I stand together with the entire country as we now send our warmest thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family. I am confident that the king is being well taken care of, and that he is receiving good and compassionate treatment,” he told AFP.
Europe’s oldest reigning monarch has been in Oslo University Hospital since 17 August suffering from haemolytic anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.
The king was admitted after suffering fluid retention linked to cortisone treatment and has experienced a series of health problems in recent years, including having a pacemaker fitted.
Harald, who has reigned since 1991, has scaled back his official duties but has repeatedly ruled out abdicating, saying the oath he took before Norway’s parliament was for life.
Additional sources • AFP