King Harald of Norway’s sick leave has been extended. The Royal Court confirmed to Norwegian television TV2 on 2 February that His Majesty’s leave would continue for the rest of the week with Crown Prince Haakon continuing as Regent.
On Friday, 28 January, the Royal Court announced that King Harald was going on sick leave due to having cold symptoms.
The news came the day after Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt had tested positive for coronavirus just hours after an audience with the King, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon. King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon had to undergo testing themselves.
On 29 January, Queen Sonja opened the exhibition “State of the Art” by Bjørn Ransve at Haugar Art Museum in Tønsberg. Then, she gave an update on the King’s health situation to the press. Her Majesty revealed that King Harald had tested negative for COVID-19.
Her Majesty said: “It is going very well, fortunately. It is just a mild cold with a sore throat.”
When the Royal Court announced King Harald’s illness, they also revealed that Crown Prince Haakon had no symptoms and had tested negative; it was also announced that Queen Sonja had tested negative for the virus. As such, the Crown Prince later held the Council of State meeting in the King’s absence.
Both King Harald and Queen Sonja have had three jabs of the COVID vaccine.
