In connection with Crown Prince Haakon’s visit to the refugee aid headquarters in Oslo, it was announced on short notice that the Crown Prince would meet the press. The Crown Prince met a huge press corps at 3 P.M. local time.
The Crown Prince said: “I thank you for your thoughtfulness. The king is in recovery, we expect him to be home from the hospital during this week. After the conditions he is fine. He was dizzy and unwell, which is why he was admitted to the hospital. It has been difficult in recent weeks. We try as best we can to take care of each other.”
Last week it was announced that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway had been hospitalised. King Harald was admitted to the National Hospital in Oslo because of dizziness. The statement from the Royal Court said: “His Majesty King Harald was admitted to the National Hospital today because of dizziness. No serious illness has been found. The King is expected to be discharged before the weekend. The King has cancelled his duties for two weeks. During this period, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon is acting regent.”
On Thursday, the Royal Court confirmed His Majesty was still in the hospital. The King was expected to leave the hospital on Friday as announced by the royal court, but this did not happen. Friday came a more detailed update on the King’s continued stay in hospital and it was revealed that His Majesty would remain in the hospital for the near future. “His Majesty is admitted to the National Hospital. The king is in the process of improvement and is expected to be discharged next week”, said Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, assistant communications manager to TV-channel NRK.
King Harald was scheduled to attend the official opening of a large oil field, the so-called Johan Sverdrup field, in the North Sea. Due to the stresses of Ari Behn’s death, the Royal Court announced Monday afternoon that the King could not attend. A brief statement from the Royal Court stated: “Due to recent stresses, His Majesty the King will not participate in the opening of the Johan Sverdrup oil field as planned.” Ari Behn, Princess Märtha Louise’s ex-husband, was buried following a funeral at Oslo Cathedral on Friday after taking his life on Christmas Day.
This is not the first time that King Harald’s health has given cause for concern in recent weeks. In December, the 82-year-old suffered a viral infection which led the Royal Court to announce that Crown Prince Haakon was appointed as temporary regent of Norway for the duration of the illness. When King Harald became ill in April 2018 as a result of congestion and pain in one foot, Crown Prince Haakon stepped in as regent for his father during his illness.
The King has had several health challenges the recent years, and although the Crown Prince has stepped in for his father on several occasions, Harald 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. However, his health is closely watched. Many reacted strongly in October 2019 when, for the first time in his reign, King Harald had to take the elevator and did not use the stairs when he opened the Norwegian parliament.
