It became known on Thursday afternoon that His Majesty King Harald of Norway is ill. The Royal Court informed the public that as long as the King is sick, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will be appointed as temporary regent of Norway. The Royal Court informed the public that the King has a viral infection.
Crown Prince Haakon commented on his father health when he visited a hospital in the city of Drammen only hours following the statement from the Royal Court. His Royal Highness said to a large press corps: “My father has contracted a small viral infection and is on sick leave for a few days, but we hope he is healthy for Christmas”.
The Crown Prince further stated that they have good hope that the infection will pass soon. His Royal Highness added: “He is doing well, we have faith in that he will be back in a few days”. So fortunately the King is not seriously ill.
Previous assumptions was that the King was abroad, but this was not correct. It was assumed on Wednesday this week that the King was on holiday abroad when the Crown Prince had to accept changes in the Norwegian government without his father present.
The news became known when Norwegian media reacted when the King was no longer set to participate in the very last Cabinet meeting scheduled to take place at the Royal Palace in Oslo on Friday this week. Therefore, on Friday, Crown Prince Haakon will be in alone in the weekly meeting with the government at the Royal Palace.
The King has had several health challenges the recent years, and although the Crown Prince has stepped in for his father on several occasions, he has no plans to pass on his role to his son. King Harald has, on several occasions, stated that it is out of the question for him to abdicate. Many reacted strongly in October this year when, for the first time in his reign, King Harald had to take the elevator and did not dare to walk the stairs when he opened the Norwegian parliament.
