Crown Prince Haakon, now regent of Norway, is at the side of his father, King Harald, after the monarch’s health deteriorated.
King Harald, 89, is being treated at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo with doctors issuing a concerning update on his condition late on Sunday night.
It was revealed that the King of Norway’s health had worsened and he had developed a bacterial blood infection which was being treated with antibiotics. Doctors said Harald had responded well to the treatment and his condition was now stable.
No further health update has since been issued but Harald’s son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, was seen driving to the hospital on Monday morning to be with his father.
Haakon, 52, is now regent of Norway, having been appointed to take on the king’s responsibilities last week when Harald V was admitted to hospital after a reaction to treatment for a form of anaemia. Then it was revealed that the Norwegian monarch had developed fluid retention after being given cortisone to treat his condition. Six days later, doctors said he had the bacterial blood infection that had seen his health deteriorate.
Crown Prince Haakon often stands in as regent of Norway – the system in the country is much more relaxed and sees royals appointed to take over some of the monarch’s duties in instances such as holidays or bouts of ill health. It was confirmed that Haakon was regent again when Harald was first admitted to hospital last week. As the royal court revealed the Norwegian king’s health had worsened, it reiterated that the Crown Prince was regent while the illness lasted.
It was also announced that King Harald’s future engagements are on hold for the forseeable future after this development in his health situation.
The latest health problems for King Harald have caused far more concern than usual in Norway. As it was announced his condition had worsened, one of the main broadcasters in the country switched programming to a live news show about the king’s heath. Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, also spoke out, saying that the news was affecting the whole country and that the king, who is hugely popular, was in everyone’s thoughts.
King Harald has ruled Norway since January 1991 and this year marked the 35th anniversary of his reign. His popularity has grown throughout his time as king and he is often praised for his wise speeches and calm demeanour in crises.
The Norwegian royal family has experienced a turbulent year. Crown Prince Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has come under fire for her links with the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, which came to light in the tranche of papers released earlier this year. Her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was also sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of a number of offences including two counts of rape. The Crown Princess if now recovering after undergoing a lung transplant as her pulmonary fibrosis worsened.
On August 25, the Crown Prince and Princess are set to celebrate 25 years of marriage. No public festivities were planned. The Norwegian royal court is currently rearranging a number of engagements for this week following the change in King Harald’s health.
