King Harald in ‘extremely serious’ condition as Palace gives update after hospitalisation

King Harald‘s health is in an “extremely serious” condition, according to the latest update from the Palace.

The Norwegian King, 89, was hospitalised last week with a rare blood condition called haemolytic anaemia, which is when the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them with new blood. The Norwegian Palace issued a harrowing update on his health on Thursday, which read: “His Majesty the King’s health condition is extremely serious.”

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, who has been acting as regent, and his wife, Queen Sonja, have now cancelled all royal engagements. Members of the monarch’s family have gathered by his bedside in Oslo, with Haakon and his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, pictured in the car arriving at the hospital on 27 August. 

Following the news, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a comment to French news agency AFP: “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.”

© Alamy Stock Photo

King Harald’s health woes

The update comes two days after the Palace said the King, who is Europe’s oldest monarch, had “deteriorated” over the weekend. “The King is receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood, and has responded to this treatment,” the statement added.

“His condition is stable. His Majesty will remain at Oslo University Hospital (Rikshospitalet) and is on sick leave until further notice.”

The monarch has been in hospital for over a week, receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia. He was taken to hospital on 17 August with the rare blood condition, which led to fluid accumulation in the body. 

© Getty Images

In a statement, the Palace said the royal had “been treated with cortisone for the blood disease hemolytic anemia in recent weeks. This has led to fluid accumulation in the body that requires treatment in hospital”. They added that the monarch would take time away from public life for the next two weeks as his son steps in as acting regent. 

The royal was previously hospitalised in February where he was treated for an infection and dehydration in Tenerife, where he was holidaying with his wife, Queen Sonja. 

Another family health update

The news of the King’s “extremely serious” condition comes as his son-in-law,

Durek married the Norwegian royal couple’s daughter Princess Martha Louise in a 2024 ceremony exclusively covered by HELLO!. 

© LISE ASERUD

HELLO! understands it’s been a difficult time for the Princess having both her father and her husband in the same hospital, but she’s very happy that Durek’s operation has been a success.

“First and foremost, we feel an enormous sense of gratitude toward the person who was willing to become a donor. It is difficult to put into words what such a gift means,” the couple said in a statement. 

“The new kidney has given Durek a second chance, and that is something we will never take for granted.”