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Norway

King Harald back at work following medical leave

His Majesty King Harald V of Norway is today back at work as monarch of Norway again after he had to take a few days of medical leave last week as a result of pain in the foot. Even though His Majesty is back to work today, he has no official duties before Thursday.

Nevertheless, it is right to assume that although the King has no official duties before Thursday, some paperwork is expected for the King in the upcoming days. On Thursday, His Majesty has granted an audience to Norway’s Foreign Minister as well as the United Kingdoms Chief of Defence, Sir Stuart Peach.

The first official event in the public that the Royal Court’s calendar has set up for King Harald is next Friday when His Majesty will attend a concert in Oslo. Royal Central will be, of course, present in Oslo at this event and will bring you the latest news from the concert.

King Haakon together with Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen

It was on Wednesday that the Royal Court announced that His Majesty King Harald of Norway would be on a medical leave for the rest of the week due to pain in the foot. During that time, Crown Prince Haakon was acting regent.

It was during the last day of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s four-day journey in the Baltic states that the Crown Prince commented on the King’s foot situation. His Royal Highness said: “I think he will be well again soon. The King is very good to think that he is well all the time. Now, I think his foot needs some rest, and then it will be good again, and then he will be back. It will be fine”.

King Harald of Norway. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen / Royal Central.

When His Majesty was still heir to the throne, and in the military, it was discovered that he had a congenital defect on one foot. It made it difficult to stretch the foot entirely during regular marching. The military doctors suggested surgery. However, after a family council at the Palace, it was decided that he would not be operated on. For a while, however, he went for treatment at Sophie’s Minde Hospital.

“I usually say that I have feet that are not so good to go on. So, therefore, I’m not so fond of walking”, was King Harald’s comment in a biography of the King published in 2005.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.