King Harald of Norway Discharged from Hospital

Update, 5/17/23: King Harald has been discharged from the hospital, the Royal Court announced, but "he remains on sick leave." He made his first public appearance since his hospitalization today, appearing on the balcony of the Royal Castle in Oslo in celebration of Norway's National Day.

Original, 5/10/23: Norway's King Harald was admitted to the hospital on Monday with an infection, the palace confirmed in a statement.

"The king has been diagnosed with an infection that needs to be treated, and will therefore remain in hospital for a few days," the palace said, adding his condition "is improving but he will be on sick leave until the end of the week."

King Harald, 86, is in a "stable" condition and being treated at the Rikshospitalet, the Oslo University Hospital, in the Norwegian capital. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, will take over his father's duties this week, serving as regent—including hosting an upcoming State Visit by the President of Italy.

This is King Harald's third announced hospitalization since last summer; in December 2022, he was admitted with an infection and was treated with IV antibiotics, and in August 2022, he was hospitalized for a fever. In 2020, he had surgery to replace a heart valve. He has been using crutches recently, including at the Nobel Peace Prize banquet at the end of last year.

At King Charles's coronation this past weekend, Prince Haakon and his wife, Princess Mette-Marit represented the Norwegian royal family.

King Harald, a second cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth, has reigned for 32 years; he ascended to the throne following the death of his father King Olav V in January 1991. Last year, his daughter Princess Märtha Louise relinquished her official duties in light of her engagement to Durek Verrett (known as "Shaman Durek").

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