King Harald of Norway’s sick leave has been extended for a second time.
The decision was announced late on February 6th 2022. It means that Crown Prince Haakon will take over the king’s duties between February 7th and 9th 2022 as acting regent of the Kingdom of Norway. King Harald’s next expected engagement will be on February 10th 2022 when he is set to receive the Foreign Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt, from the Labour Party in an audience.
King Harald has been on sick leave since January 28th 2022 when he developed mild cold symptoms. The announcement came the day after 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 doses of the COVID vaccine.