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Norway

King Harald returns to work after months of sick leave

King Harald of Norway`s sick leave is officially over and he will resume his constitutional duties from April 12th 2021.

King Harald’s sick leave has been extended several times since an operation earlier this year and there was great interest in whether it would be further extended. In March, the Royal Court stated: “The king is making a good recovery and continues treatment and training after the operation for torn tendons above the knee”.

As is well known, the king underwent surgery for a broken tendon in his knee. On the same day as the operation took place, the Royal House stated that the king’s operation was successful and that he was in good shape. In connection with the operation, the king was originally on sick leave until 14 February. This has since been extended several times. During this period, it is Crown Prince Haakon who has served as regent and carried out the king’s constitutional duties.

The king was well enough to attend his brother-in-law Erling Lorentzen’s funeral at the end of March. Lorentzen was married to the king’s sister Princess Ragnhild, who died of cancer in 2012. At that event the King was driven all the way up to the entrance and then used crutches as he entered the church.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions, the king’s schedule is not heavy next week. On Monday Apeil 12th, the King will hold two audiences, for the Chief of Defence and a recipient of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. On Thursday, the king will give an audience to the foreign minister and on Friday to the prime minister before holding the council of state. It is not known when it is planned for the king to appear in public again.

King Harald stated in a written message last week that he was strongly affected by the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. He has therefore ordered that flags should be flown at half-mast at the Royal Palace during the Prince’s funeral which will take place on april 17th 2021.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.