King Harald and Queen Sonja will be isolated until mid-April. This was confirmed by the Royal Court on Thursday morning in a short statement to the Norwegian newspaper «Dagbladet». This is done because they are both at risk of serious illness if they are infected with corona virus. King Harald is 83 years old and Queen Sonja is 82 years old.
The Director of Communications at the Royal Court sais: “When it comes to infection control around the members of the Royal Family, this is taken care of in consultation with the king’s personal doctor. We follow the authorities’ guidelines and recommendations for both the Royal Family and the court’s staff”.
It was also confirmed that King Harald and Queen Sonja will continue to be isolated from the outside world at the King’s cabin on the outskirts of Oslo city centre. Here the two royals have been ever since they returned from their State Visit to Jordan three weeks ago. They had to quarantine for two weeks as they arrived from abroad. Even though the quarantine is over, it has now been decided to continue to protect the king and queen from the outside world.
The king will continue to carry out his duties over the telephone.
The Royal Court announced two weeks ago that the Norwegian Royal Family will cancel all public events until Easter. Councils of State and other governmental meetings will still continue. His Majesty led the Council of State by phone twice while he was in quarantine. So far, no special information has come out about the Crown Prince couple and the remaining members of the royal family. Crown Prince Haakon was personally present at the Council of State on both Friday and Sunday. Crown Princess Mette Marit, who has a lung disease, is isolated on a voluntary basis in her home at the Skaugum estate in Asker.
His Majesty King Harald addressed the Norwegian people from his quarantine on last week Sunday. Then His Majesty said: “My thoughts and prayers are with all the children, who may be particularly anxious now, and whom we must take extra care of. I would like to remind you that everyone needs some extra kindness during this time. Together we stand in this. And together we will be able to get through what lies ahead.”
