King Harald of Norway’s health has deteriorated over the weekend and his doctors have issued a worrying update.
King Harald, 89, is being given antibiotics for a bacterial blood infection, days after he was admitted to the Rikshospitalet in Oslo.
On Sunday night, his doctors said his health had got worse following his admission to hospital.
He was originally kept at the hospital after his medical team became concerned about side effects for treatment for a form of anaemia. King Harald had been given cortisone for the health issue but had started to experience fluid retention, leading to his hospitalisation.
While the initial medical reports were positive and indicated that King Harald would soon return to royal duties, now doctors say he needs further antibiotic treatment and won’t be carrying out official engagments for some time.
His son and heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, is now regent of Norway.
Crown Prince Haakon often carries out the role of regent but this time it is for an undefined amount of time.
King Harald’s doctors say his condition is now stable.
The Norwegian Royal Family has had a tumulruous summer with Crown Princess Mette-Marit underoing a lung transplant after her pulmonary fibrosis worsened. Her elder son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was convicted of a number of offences, including rape, this summer, too.
Second in line to the throne, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has decided to study in Oslo this autumn after beginning university in Australia. She wants to be closer to her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and now her grandfather, King Harald.
King Harald is a popular monarch and the country’s royals had prospered in his reign. However, the last few years have been bumpy for them.
