Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has said the whole country is thinking of King Harald as a worrying update about the health of the 89 year old monarch was issued.
On Sunday evening, the Norwegian Royal Court announced that King Harald’s health had deteriorated, days after he was admitted to hospital after developing side effects from a treatment for a form of anaemia.
His medical team is now administering antibiotics to King Harald for a bacterial blood infection. His condition is stable.
As news of the Norwegian king’s health broke, the country’s Prime Minister spoke out. Jonas Gahr Store said that ”all of Norway is following the situation and thinking of the King..”
The Norwegian PM spoke out during a visit to Ukraine. He added that he was being kept up to date with the situation and that he hoped King Harald would continue to receive the best possible support at this difficult time.
The leader of the Storting, Norway’s parliament, also sent King Harald his best wishes for a quick recovery. Masud Gharahkhani told NTB that ”we are all thinking of His Majesty and the royal family at this time.I send our beloved and hardworking king warm thoughts and wishes. We deeply appreciate everything he does for our country”.
The comments came as Harald V’s doctors said he would be missing public engagements for some time as his treatment continues. He had originally been admitted to hospital after the cortisone he was being treated with for anaemia led to fluid retention. He has now developed a bacterial blood infection that needs antibiotic treatment but he is said to be responding well to the course of medication.
On Sunday afternoon, Harald was visited by his wife, Queen Sonja, and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, who was accompanied by his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their elder child together, Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
Crown Prince Haakon, first in line to the throne, is currently acting as regent, a role he often takes up whenhis father is away.
Harald V has been King of Norway since January 1991 and his popularity continues to grow. He is admired for his wise speeches and warm words that have been fundamental in increasing and establishing tolerance across all sections of society.
The King of Norway turned 89 earlier this year and has experienced a number of health issues in recent years.
