World

Norway's King Harald in 'very serious' health condition

By Louise Rasmussen

Aug 27, 2026

Norway's King Harald in 2025 — King Harald of Norway has been in hospital for more than a week. -AP

The health of Norway's ‌King Harald has deteriorated while in hospital and his condition is now "very serious", the royal court says.

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Europe's oldest living monarch ‌and Norway's ‌ceremonial ⁠head of state since 1991, Harald, 89, was taken to hospital on August 17.

The palace said he was being treated for a bacterial infection in his blood.

Crown Prince Haakon and Harald's ⁠wife, Queen Sonja, ‌had both cancelled all planned events, the palace said in a statement on Thursday.

Members of ‌Harald's family, including the crown prince and the queen, were seen arriving at the Oslo University Hospital where the king was being treated, Norwegian media reported.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement to the media: "The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family."

The king announced in ‌2024 that he would reduce the number of official activities in which he takes part out of consideration for his age, but ruled out abdication, saying his oath as king was for life.